International Guidelines for the Education of Learners with Down Syndrome

This is an accurate, up-to-date, evidence-informed, global consensus document to provide information and recommendations of key relevance and importance for the provision of best practice education for learners with Down syndrome of all ages around the world. Established experts in the field co-authored the guidelines with feedback from international stakeholders to make the guidelines as globally useful and relevant as possible. The document comprises three separate guidelines, each with its own set of recommendations: Guidelines for Leading, Guidelines for Teaching and Guidelines for Learning. In addition, key considerations specific to the education of people with Down syndrome are outlined and recommendations provided. The aim of the guidelines is to contribute to the realisation of the right of people with Down syndrome to an inclusive education and lifelong learning as outlined in Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD); to assist education stakeholders to advocate for positive change; to provide specific guidance to all education stakeholders and to encourage the development of national (or other regional) guidelines. There is a pressing need to address these issues to make sure people with Down syndrome in countries around the world receive the education they require to achieve their full potential. There has previously been no international best-practice guidance in this area.