| Inclusive education is ensuring that all children and young people are afforded their equal rights and opportunities to education. It is a process towards access, participation and achievement for all in education. Why is it important? - 115 million children worldwide are excluded from education (UNESCO estimate)
- 98% of disabled children worldwide do not receive any form of education (UNESCO estimate)
Handicap International believes that: - Disabled children must be given their equal right to education
- Parents must be supported to nurture their disabled children's educational desires and needs
- Communities must be shown the rich and diverse potential of its disabled members
- Governments must be challenged to develop inclusive education policies
Handicap International strives to: - Guarantee that children's own interest and needs are the centre of our work in education
- Build on existing national or regional education frameworks and contexts making them inclusive
- Work in partnership with all those involved in the education process
We work worldwide to: - Promote the right to an education for every child which is relevant and part of a broader life-long learning process
- Develop respect for children as individuals, each with their own aspirations to participate and achieve in education
- Ensure that schools and other learning environments clearly demonstrate their commitment to an education which is inclusive to all children
- Create awareness amongst all those involved in the education process of their roles and responsibilities as nurturers, leaders, decision makers and above all listeners.
(c) Handicap International
Our activities with authorities Training teachers in schools and colleges Here teacher trainers are learning about disability issues and how they can become more inclusive in their approach to educating all children. They are also discussing ways in which they can support teachers in schools to work with children who have a range of different educational needs.
© Handicap International
Supporting Ministries of Education Handicap International works closely with education authorities at local and national levels, offering advice and support on developing Inclusive Education policies.
The picture below shows teachers and district education advisors in Nicaragua. 
© Handicap International
Our work with communities Raising awareness of parents and communities
These parents in Burkina Faso, West Africa are learning about their children’s right to education and ways in which they can support their children at home.
Often parents are over protective of their disabled children or hide them away limiting their access to the outside world. This in turn means disabled children have little chance of an education or of developing important social and life skills. 
© Handicap International
Self Advocacy groups for disabled and non disabled children We believe that children should take an active role in their own learning process. To do this we support disabled and non disabled children to develop their speaking, listening, critical thinking and collaboration skills. Here in Nicaragua, Central America, children have gathered together for their monthly meeting to discuss ways in which their school could make improvements to benefit all the pupils.
High on the agenda are issues such as accessibility of the toilet blocks, general school hygiene and after school art clubs. 
© Handicap International
Our activities with schools Making schools accessible
One way to make sure that all children can equally access education is to ensure that learning environments are physically accessible.
Handicap International works with architects, education staff and communities to create accessible schools; building ramps, widening classroom doors,lowering blackboards and expanding toilet facilities. 
© Handicap International
Adapting teaching and learning resources Some children require adapted equipment to support their learning. We work with parents, schools and health professionals to provide appropriate equipment for children in order that they can participate fully in school life. 
© Handicap International
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