In Italy, students with disabilities are not segregated

The Italian Framework Law for the Assistance, Social Inclusion, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a binding policy prescribing that children with disabilities have to be included in mainstream schools at all levels. As a result fewer than 1% of all children with special needs are educated in segregated settings.

In 1971 the Italian Law 118 granted all children with disabilities – except for the most severe cases – the right to be educated in mainstream classes. By 1977, Italy closed all special schools and its Law 517 prescribed that all pupils with disabilities should be included. In the 1980s, Inclusive Education was implemented in pre-schools and in secondary schools. In 1991 a commission, including persons with disabilities, started to draft the Framework Law for the Assistance, Social Inclusion, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities no. 104 that was adopted by the Parliament in 1992. It was the first time that civil society, organizations of persons with disabilities, and families were fully involved in such a proce3ss. The Italian Framework Law for the Assistance, Social Inclusion, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities no. 104 of 1992 deals with diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, and addresses various services and support as well as the issue of social exclusion of persons with disabilities. In particular, the law provides that appropriate support must be provided in mainstream schools at all levels – e.g., specialized teachers, educational aids, and transportation and material assistance – with the collaboration of all public competent bodies and with the involvement of all those who have educational competences (teachers, assistants, families, etc.).

Problems Targeted

Inclusive Education in Italy is not only required by law and thus rights-based but is being implemented throughout the country, sustained by a firm national consensus for full inclusion. Fewer than 1% of all children with special needs are educated in segregated settings.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The Italian Framework Law for the Assistance, Social Inclusion, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities no. 104 of 1992 is a national legally-binding policy that prescribes that all children with disabilities are to be included in day nurseries, to attend schools (also private), universities, and any other education provider, and to fully participate in school life. Refusals are met with prosecutions and the removal of funding. Once a person is recognized as a pupil with special needs, a tailored educational plan is defined by health service operators, specialized teachers, and a psycho- pedagogical expert, in collaboration with the parents. The plan is reviewed regularly. Furthermore, all services are coordinated, flexible timetabling is allowed, and schools are equipped with technical devices and specialized teachers for learning support (one for every two children) who define methods with class teachers. Provincial working groups and a National Observatory were established. Innovating education 
Pioneering is the creation of a new professional figure for learning support and the combination of clinical diagnosis, dynamic profile and tailored education plan to determine the potential of the pupil. _x000D_
Broad collaboration 
The wide-ranging cross-sectorial cooperation of all stakeholders – teachers, social/health service workers, parents, and students – paved the way for new approaches to teaching and learning. 
 A qualitative benefit for all Italy’s practice of Inclusive Education has led to lowering the limits of class sizes, revamping the curriculum, and implementing a system of national evaluations of all schools. Italy is the European country with the highest inclusion of people with special needs in mainstream schools. There is consensus that both children with and without disabilities learn from each other. _x000D_  The overall assessment of school experience by persons with disabilities is very positive, with an average of 4 on a scale of 1 to 5. 
  Concerns exist that Italy has still to overcome the micro exclusion that children with disabilities experience within inclusive settings. In 2015 the School Reform Law 107 intensified the quality of education support, and provided more resources and data.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

Italy’s legislation on Inclusive Education for all at every level is serving as a model for various countries undertaking school reform. Internationally, Italy engaged in the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, particularly its Article 24.