Lack of education for children with intellectual disabilities made worse in the Coronavirus emergency

Coronavirus changed many things. But it highlights the ongoing segregation and discrimination of people with intellectual disabilities. The consequences of the Coronavirus shutdown of schools and other social distancing measures constitute a major problem for students with intellectual disabilities, their families and teachers. Therefore, Inclusion Europe is publishing a briefing on the lack of education for children with intellectual disabilities made worse in the Coronavirus emergency.

Across Europe, people are responding and finding new ways to enable students to continue their learning and development. We appreciate everyone who is doing their best in these circumstances.

However, the current situation amplifies the ongoing segregation and discrimination that people with intellectual disabilities face. Most young people with intellectual disabilities are not able to continue their learning and development during the coronavirus lockdown.

Now more than ever, schools and responsible authorities must work to make sure that discrimination and exclusion of students with intellectual disabilities does not reach a point of complete despair or non-return. They need to raise their game to address these challenges and ensure that young people with intellectual disabilities are not further disadvantaged.

This brief is to remind authorities of their responsibility to provide education to learners with disabilities during the Coronavirus emergency covers:

1. Situation analysis: how children and students with intellectual disabilities are being further excluded from education by the Coronavirus measures;
2. Potential solutions and suggestions that could improve the lives of learners with intellectual disabilities and their families;
3. Issue and error awareness: the things to watch out for and mistakes to avoid when schools start again;
4. Resources on education from other organisations on inclusive education in times of coronavirus and a survey for completion by parents, teachers and children with intellectual disabilities.

Read the breakdown of each topic covered in the brief:

Lack of education for children with intellectual disabilities made worse in the Coronavirus emergency (.pdf)

Экстренная ситуация с Коронавирусом усугубляет дефицит образовательных возможностей для детей с интеллектуальными нарушениями (.pdf)