This paper seeks to compare the evolution of inclusive education policy in the four countries of an EU-funded research project (QualiTYDES) operating under the shared policy environment of the UN, EU and European Commission. A shared policy cannot of course be assumed to result in common legislative or provisional outcomes at national level. The different sociocultural, political, historical and economic contexts in each country shape its journey towards 'compliance' with an international convention (both pre-and post-ratification), and neither the route nor the destination can be assumed to be shared, given the scope for different interpretations of the same texts. This paper places the implementation trajectories of four European countries side by side as they attempt to move towards 'inclusive' education systems. Following a brief overview of the international education policy environment relating to the education of people with disabilities, we describe the national education policy responses in Ireland, Austria, Spain and Czech Republic in recent decades, including both legislation pertaining to special educational need and implementation of policies in practice. The comparison highlights the different manifestations of inclusive education current in each country, and also explores the challenges which have arisen as individual countries attempt to align international policy with provision in existing education systems, each with their own legacy interests, pressures and priorities. Examples of 'gaps' in this alignment are where learners with disabilities/SEN are likely to be failed, and represent the critical points at which barriers to fully inclusive education arise and negatively impact opportunity over the life course.

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Dieses Buch verbindet die Anfänge einer Pädagogik für ausgegrenzte Menschen mit aktuellen weltweiten Reformbestrebungen, die das Ziel einer Inklusion und der vollen gesellschaftlichen Teilhabe verfolgen. Die Aufgaben einer Heilpädagogik und Inklusiven Pädagogik sieht es in der professionellen Entwicklungsbegleitung in den verschiedenen Lebensbereichen und über die Lebensalter mit dem Ziel des Abbaus von Barrieren. Gleichzeitig möchte es ein Grundlagenwissen vermitteln, das gegenwärtige Diskussionen über die Rechte von Menschen mit Behinderungen und die daraus resultierenden neuen Zielsetzungen für den Bildungsprozess mit dem gewachsenen Theoriebestand der Heilpädagogik verknüpft. Das Buch vermittelt einen Überblick über Grundbegriffe und grundlegende Theorien der Heilpädagogik auf dem Hintergrund neuer Entwicklungen und verknüpft diese mit ethischen Fragestellungen sowie gesellschaftlichen und kulturellen Zugängen zum Phänomen der Behinderung.

The purpose of this article is to explain the practice, challenges and future prospects of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) in Gedeo zone, a district of nearly one million inhabitants in the south of Ethiopia. The study used a mixed methods design. The quantitative part of the study involved 138 parents and care givers selected by convenient sampling technique. In addition, a total of 22 (seven female and 15 male) research participants were purposively selected from various categories: one head of zone labor and social affairs, three heads of district labor and social affairs, three representatives of associations of PWDs, 11 parents, two CBR heads, and two CBR social workers. Questionnaires and interviews were used as tools of data collection. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and thematic analysis. The finding indicated that there was no well-established CBR service provision for PWDs in Gedeo zone to ensure full participation and successful adjustment in the community. The article also revealed that a lack of trained manpower, following the charity model of CBR, and a failure to understand the modern essence of CBR were some of the major challenges that hindered the implementation of CBR service in Gedeo zone. Based on the findings, we recommend the establishment of rehabilitation centers in combination with community services in various districts of the zone. CBR requires centers with skilled staff, able to empower local people in the community to develop inclusive structures. Furthermore, we suggest that the practice of CBR in Gedeo zone should empower CBR workers in community-based inclusive development.