Background: People with disabilities are consistently falling behind in educational outcomes compared to their peers without disabilities, whether measured in terms of school enrolment, school completion, mean years of schooling, or literacy levels. These inequalities in education contribute to people with disabilities being less likely to achieve…

Inclusive education requires teachers to design instruction that benefits all students, regardless of their abilities, gender, or cultural background. Cooperative learning, a strategy that inherently fosters inclusivity, is one of the approaches that can enhance the implementation of inclusive education. Therefore, teachers need to be well-versed…

This paper investigates the transition planning for youth with disabilities living in foster care. Statutory regulations in South Africa contend that foster care lapses when young people reach the age of 18. It is however not certain how many of them are ready to navigate into an adult and independent lifestyle. This paper is concerned with the…

Background: A global move towards inclusivity has made inclusive education (IE) a necessity. The education of the learner with hearing loss (HL) in an IE setting remains challenging and scarcely researched. Despite government's clear position on IE, the extent to which the recommendations in the Education White Paper 6 (2001) (EWP6) are…

In South Africa, many children with extensive support needs--including children who require AAC--are accommodated in care centers rather than the public schooling system. Caregivers employed at these centers need training in order to support children's communication using augmentative and alternative methods. A total of 29 center-based caregivers…

Society has always understood individuals with intellectual disabilities from a stance of deficiency, resulting in limited expectations and prospects for school-going adolescents with intellectual disabilities. The study used the social model of disability to explore teachers' perceptions of enablers to enhance school-based adolescents with…

Autism spectrum disorder is a growing public health concern in low-and middle-income countries that has prompted a World Health Organization resolution on "comprehensive and coordinated efforts for management of autism spectrum disorder." Despite being a signatory of the resolution, South Africa does not have any national policies to…

The South African Department of Basic Education has launched a phased initiative to transform ordinary mainstream schools into full-service schools (FSS) as part of its strategy for inclusive education. To ensure the success of this initiative, it is crucial to select schools that can equitably address the diverse learning needs of all students…

Although South Africa has numerous impressive policies for inclusion, the unfortunate fact on the ground is that the rhetoric of inclusion is still not reflected in reality. The majority of students with visual impairments are still in special schools where they have to contend with very poor learning conditions. For example, in 2015, 17 out of…

In South Africa, as is globally, many people struggle with the challenges which emanate from developmental dyslexia (DD). It is thus important for educators to have adequate knowledge and a positive mindset regarding DD and the management thereof in the school context. One such important method of management is the accommodation of these learners…

Background: When supporting learners with severe intellectual disabilities, teaching methods needs to be adapted. Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA) aims to enhance participation and facilitate adaptive responses through targeted intervention principles. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the impact of an intervention programme…

Globally, education of children with disabilities increasingly occurs in inclusive school settings, requiring specialised teacher education. Scholars emphasise relational and instrumental skills, to overcome prejudice and exclusion. Visual impairment (VI) is emotionally evocative, presenting particular challenges to inclusion. Using data from…

Background: The increasing recognition of neurodiversity in early childhood education (ECE) highlights the need for inclusive practices and targeted professional development. Teachers' ability to support neurodiverse learners is central to fostering equitable learning environments. Aim: This research explores early childhood teachers' perspectives…

Background: School-based professionals play a crucial role in supporting autistic learners, with teachers and occupational therapists being primary implementers of education and health policies. The support context reflects cultural feminist principles, as women professionals predominantly provide immediate support in schools. Aim: This study…

Currently, a small number of studies discuss augmentative and alternative (AAC) interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The primary purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the current evidence base on communication-based interventions and partner training in LMICs, to explore and identify gaps in the AAC evidence base…