The United States model of including children with disabilities in education
The United States offers an interesting case study to conceptualize the definition of inclusive education as outlined in the CRPD. The United States has implemented “special education” laws and policies that protect the rights of students with disabilities to attend public schools for over thirty years. Although the United States has a long history of educating children with disabilities in comparison to many other countries, the United States still has not created an inclusive education system. The CRPD is thus an important tool to guide the development of a fully inclusive education system in the United States. In addition to reviewing the American experience to better understand the CRPD’s call for inclusive education, the American experience also serves as a useful lens for other countries to review and consider lessons learned as they work to develop and implement inclusive education systems in accordance with international law. A basic understanding of the development of the American system, as well as the inherent shortcomings in the system, may assist other countries to create comprehensive inclusive education systems that do not lead to the same issues that exist in the American system.