Summary
There are many schemes for persons with a disability to access education
in Ireland. However many of these schemes are limited to many people.
Persons with a disability experience difficulty accessing mainstream
education and supports from the beginning of their educational journey.
People have difficulty when accessing supports for early childhood
education, primary education, secondary education and further education.
People often need a certain label to access the appropriate supports. This
may involve having to pay for expensive assessments.
The greatest barrier for persons with a disability in accessing mainstream,
inclusive education is often the attitudes of schools.
This submission has been informed by families of children and young
people who have a disability and have experienced the Irish education
system.