Professional paper
Education of children and youth with disabilities in Poland and UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Agnieszka Żyta
orcid.org/0000-0002-2504-7257
; University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Social Sciences, Poland,
Stanisława Byra
; Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Poland
Katarzyna Ćwirynkało
orcid.org/0000-0003-2305-6069
; University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Social Sciences, Poland,
Abstract
The Polish system of education provides a variety of schooling options for students with disabilities, including mainstream schools, integrated schools, special schools, home-schooling and remedial centres (for students with profound intellectual disabilities). Since the transformation of the political and economic system in 1989, the education system in Poland has been transforming towards greater inclusion and recognition of the right to equal access to education and training at all levels for students with disabilities. The most important legal act on the rights of disabled people is the Convention of the United Nations on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) of 2006, ratified by Poland in 2012. It acts as a philosophical and moral statement and framework guiding integrated and strategic policy across the nation. Article 24 of the CRPD proclaims the right to education "without discrimination and on the basis of equal opportunity" and obliges State Parties to "ensure an inclusive education system at all levels and lifelong learning" (Art. 24, CRPD, 2006, p. 16). This paper describes and analyses the contemporary educational situation of children and youth with disabilities in Poland, focusing in particular on recommendations of the CRPD and on possibilities and difficulties for fulfilling those recommendations for all students at all levels.
Keywords
Education; disabilities; children; inclusion; CRPD
Hrčak ID:
193757
URI
Publication date:
16.2.2018.
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