International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Education social partners are key to inclusion
On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the European social partners in education reaffirm
their commitment to promoting the full and meaningful participation of persons
with special needs and disabilities in education - both as learners and as
professionals in the teaching workforce. Three short films exemplifying the
importance of joint work of social partners in education in Germany,
Romania and Belgium have been published
in the framework of the ETUCE-EFEE
joint project InclEdu4AllNeeds.
Through effective
social dialogue and collaborative action, education social partners can
transform schools and universities into environments where diversity is
embraced and equity becomes a guiding principle. This means guaranteeing
accessible learning spaces, providing adequate resources, and offering
continuous professional development for teachers, while also promoting
leadership and representation of persons with special needs within the
education sector.
The InclEdu4AllNeeds
project is also developing practical guidelines to help education trade
unions and employers take concrete steps toward inclusion through policies,
funding, teacher training, and community engagement. These guidelines will
be finalised at the project’s Final Conference in Chisinau, Moldova, on
28–29 January 2026, which will bring together education social partners,
policymakers, and experts to consolidate achievements and define the next steps
toward truly inclusive education across Europe.
Key priorities
identified by social partners throughout the project include:
Inclusive employment: Removing barriers to teacher training and
recruitment for persons with special needs.
Continuous professional development: Equipping teachers, school leaders, and
other education personnel with skills to accommodate diverse learners.
Collaboration with families and
communities: Building
strong support networks to reduce stigma and promote acceptance.
Adequate funding and resources: Ensuring financial, technical, and human
resources for inclusive education.
Representation and leadership: Promoting visibility and participation of
persons with special needs in decision-making roles.
These efforts
reflect a shared vision: education systems where differences are celebrated,
discrimination is challenged, and every learner and educator can thrive.
