The Centre For Studies On Inclusive Education (CSIE)

The Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE) is a British charity working for the inclusion of all children with disabilities and learning difficulties in mainstream schools.

Established in 1982, the Centre provides information and advice concerning inclusive education and related issues. The Centre believes that all children have the right to learn together -not be devalued, discriminated against or excluded because of disabilities or learning difficulties.

Mainly funded by donations from trusts and foundations, core activities of the Centre include:

• Advice on good practice, summaries of law and conference reports.

• Collection of information from schools, colleges, parent groups, government and other organisations.

• Publication of regular analysis of LEA trends in special school placement.

• Organisation of conferences.

• Provision of information on legislation.

• Working closely with and supporting parents, disabled adults, campaign groups, families and schools in their efforts to promote inclusive policies.

• Submitting evidence and commentaries to central and local government.

The Centre recently issued a leaflet outlining the sources of funds available to help schools develop inclusion, including physical access.

Linda Shaw, co-director at the Centre says: "Substantial funds are now available to help schools become more inclusive. We hope they will not miss this opportunity to make the learning environment better for everybody."

The Schools Access Initiative (SAI) supports capital projects to help local education authorities (LEA's) improve access to mainstream schools for pupils with disabilities.

Linda Shaw says: "For the period 2000 to 2001, the total amount of funding available through the SAI is £30 million. Allocations to LEAs varied between £10,000 and £690,000. Individual and voluntary aided schools received between £1,000 and £140,000. The budget for the Schools Access Initiative is expected to increase to £50 million in 2001-2002."

Projects which meet the required criteria for support can involve

1. enhancing the continuation of access, e.g. planning better transition arrangements between primary and secondary schools, or turning a secondary school into a centre for a group of feeder primary schools;

2. reducing travel time for pupils by making a nearer school accessible;

3. improving physical access to the school e.g.. set down and pick up points, ramps, handrails and lifts;

4. improving physical movement around the building;

5. improving access to the national curriculum e.g.. specialist furniture and equipment;

6. improving accommodation within the building e.g. toilets for disabled pupils, and sound proofing for pupils with hearing difficulties.

All community, voluntary aided, controlled and foundation schools, including nurseries are eligible for funding. Projects enabling the partial inclusion of special school pupils into a mainstream school are eligible. Projects are very much determined by each LEA's access policies and priorities.

The DfEE expects LEA's to consider:

1. the capacity of a school to take advantage of the access improvements, including the schools current SEN policy;

2. the degree to which the new facilities may be used by the wider community.

Schools should approach their LEA between September and December each year. LEA?s must bid for an allocation by February and the DfEE usually announces allocations at the end of March. The projects must be completed within the financial year for which support is given. More expensive work can be carried out by a phased project over two or three years.

For further information about the CSIE contact Linda Shaw, on: 0117-923 8450. Or visit the charities website at http://inclusion.uwe.ac.uk.

For further details about the Schools Access Initiative contact Keromang Khoboko or Susan Humphreys, SEN Division, DfEE, on: 020 7925 5199.