Background and Policy Objectives

3.This Order is intended to enact provisions for Northern Ireland similar to those already in existence in England, Scotland and Wales under the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001.

4.This Order will strengthen the right to an ordinary education place for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and extend similar provisions to those contained in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) to educational institutions in Northern Ireland for the first time. It will also make it unlawful for general qualifications bodies to discriminate against people with disabilities.