Inclusion of children with disabilities: The early childhood imperative

Description: A remarkable step toward recognizing people with disabilities as equal and active members of society has been made through the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which came into force in May 2008. The CRPD calls for enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by children and adults with disabilities, and points to the importance of early intervention as well as inclusion in the education system from an early age. This policy brief argues that early childhood care and education (ECCE) is a powerful means of nurturing diverse abilities and overcoming disadvantages and inequalities, and discusses main approaches to responding to developmental needs of young children with disabilities.