Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.15516/cje.v20i1.2494
The Right to Education for Children with Disabilities from the Earliest Age
Marina Milić Babić
orcid.org/0000-0002-2310-641X
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Law, Department of Social Work
Sara Tkalec
orcid.org/0000-0002-2310-641X
; Home for the elderly Peščenica
Leah Powell Cheatham
orcid.org/0000-0002-2310-641X
; University of Alabama, School of Social Work
Abstract
The right to education constitutes a fundamental human right and is the focus of numerous international agreements, conventions, as well as scientific and expert research. Grounded in a human rights perspective, this study aims to understand the involvement of children with disabilities in early education programs. The participants—parents of children with disabilities (N=10)—reported challenges faced while enrolling their children with disabilities in early education institutions, including insufficient support or even denied enrolment. Study participants also emphasized challenges extending beyond enrolment: children’s stays in daycare had been limited, children were insufficiently included in extracurricular activities, and parents encountered organizational challenges in securing financing for special needs assistants. While satisfied with the personal competencies of teachers, participants were dissatisfied with the teachers’ professional skills and were equally dissatisfied with the performance of the professional team. Some participants recounted discrimination against their children. In conclusion, these narratives reveal “vulnerabilities” of the early education system. Given the importance of educational inclusion for children with disabilities, this topic requires continued attention.
Keywords
children with disabilities; Croatia; early education; inclusion
Hrčak ID:
199590
URI
Publication date:
30.3.2018.
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