{"id":5671,"date":"2025-08-18T20:45:33","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T18:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/tool\/declaration-of-intent-un-convention-on-disability\/"},"modified":"2025-10-03T11:01:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T09:01:10","slug":"declaration-of-intent-un-convention-on-disability","status":"publish","type":"tool","link":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/tool\/declaration-of-intent-un-convention-on-disability\/","title":{"rendered":"Declaration of intent UN convention on disability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/interview-impact-intentieverklaring.jpg\" alt=\"text bubbles with a paper underneath, partially rolled up at the top and bottom, with a pen indicating the signature.\" class=\"wp-image-3564 size-full\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u2018Working together to build truly inclusive education.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2626_2b665f-a6 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2626_2b665f-a6 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2626_2b665f-a6 .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id2626_2b665f-a6 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}<\/style><\/div><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Make your educational institution future-proof and truly inclusive!<\/strong> <strong>Join the national movement for accessible and inclusive education by signing the Declaration of Intent on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">National working groups on the UN Convention<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By signing, your institution will join one of the two national working groups:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/landelijke-werkgroep-vn-verdrag-mbo\/\">Werkgroep VN-verdrag mbo<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/landelijke-werkgroep-vn-verdrag-hbo-wo\/\">Werkgroep VN-verdrag hbo\/wo<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In both working groups, educational institutions work together to implement and secure the goals of the <a href=\"https:\/\/wetten.overheid.nl\/BWBV0004045\/2016-07-14#Verdrag_2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">UN Convention on Disability<\/a>. ECIO supports these working groups with knowledge, advice and practical tools. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why this statement of intent?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By signing, your institution confirms that it:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>is committed to an education system in which every student is welcome and given equal opportunities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>embraces the principles of the UN Convention, such as accessibility, participation and respect for everyone&#8217;s abilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>actively works on policies and activities that contribute to an inclusive learning environment, together with other institutions and partners within mbo or hbo\/wo.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Specifically, what does this mean?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Signatory institutions commit to:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Removing barriers in teaching and digital learning environments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Providing reasonable accommodations so that students with disabilities can participate equally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthening knowledge sharing, expertise promotion and joint policy development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooperation with ECIO and umbrella organizations such as MBO Raad, Vereniging Hogescholen and Universities of the Netherlands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your next step<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do you want to contribute to education in which every student feels seen, supported and accepted? Sign the UN Convention and join the national working group on secondary education or the working group on higher education. Together we can build truly inclusive education.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More about the letter of intent<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below, we outline the frameworks, ambitions, objectives and process agreements of the letter of intent. Some aspects relate (only) to higher professional education (HPE) and university education (UE), while others relate to senior secondary vocational education (VET). <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frames<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The signatory parties note that:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In 2016, the State of the Netherlands ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (hereinafter: Convention). The fundamental principles of this Convention include personal autonomy, non-discrimination, full and effective participation, equal opportunities, accessibility and respect for the evolving capacities of persons with disabilities. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Article 24 of this Convention emphasises the right of persons with disabilities to education.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Article 24 of this Convention calls on States Parties, among other things, to realise this right by ensuring an inclusive education system at all levels (from primary to higher education).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Article 24(5) of this Convention specifically addresses the provision of reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities in general university and higher professional education, so that they can pursue their education without discrimination and on an equal basis with others.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Algemeen commentaar 4 van dit verdrag nadere uitleg geeft over <a href=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/handreiking\/8-elementen-voor-inclusief-onderwijs\/\">elementen van inclusief onderwijs<\/a> en hoe dit te implementeren.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In recent years, businesses, social organisations, experts by experience and public authorities have worked together to implement the Convention, creating a nationwide movement towards greater accessibility and inclusion. Accessible and inclusive education is one of the themes within this approach.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The undersigned educational institutions further note that<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Equal Treatment Act on the basis of Disability and Chronic Illness (Wgbh\/cz) requires that general accessibility for persons with disabilities or chronic illnesses be gradually ensured, unless this would impose a disproportionate burden on them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Higher Education and Scientific Research Act (WHW) requires programmes to set out \u2018the manner in which students with physical or sensory disabilities are reasonably given the opportunity to take examinations\u2019 in a programme and examination regulations (OER).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Since 2011, accessibility and studyability for students with disabilities have been included as assessment criteria in the accreditation framework for higher education.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Reference Framework, drawn up by the Benchmarking Committee for Higher Education, serves as a guide for further developing and strengthening policy on studying with a disability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Appropriate Education Act states that secondary vocational education (MBO) must also provide the most appropriate place for every student. When organising education, the support needs of the student are taken into account right from the start of the programme. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Article 1.3.5 of the Vocational Education Act stipulates that institutions are jointly responsible for ensuring the accessibility of education, in particular by offering equal opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ambition<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The signatory parties declare that they:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We aspire to be an inclusive educational institution where every student participates in education on an equal footing with other students and where every student, regardless of background, feels welcome and accepted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>to this end, carry out activities in the field of education with a view to achieving universal accessibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To this end, linking educational objectives and activities that are in line with the joint approach of the State and administrative partners for the implementation of the Convention. To this end, cooperating with each other to share knowledge and develop policies that increase and strengthen inclusion in education. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Objectives<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The objectives of the signatory parties are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The various elements of inclusive education, as described by the United Nations in General Comment 4 on the right to inclusive education. These are taken into account when implementing the UN Convention. As described in the Convention, the aim is to strive for these elements, unless this would place a disproportionate burden on the educational institution. These elements of inclusive education are:   \n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whole systems approach: The Department for Education is committed to changing the culture, policy and practice so that the entire education system is inclusive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whole educational environment approach: Commitment from the senior management of educational institutions is essential to make the entire educational environment inclusive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whole person approach: Everyone&#8217;s learning abilities are recognised in flexible curricula and learning methods, so that all learning strategies are catered for. This implies offering support and reasonable adjustments and early intervention to ensure that all students can develop to their full potential. The education system adapts to the student and not the other way around.  <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In organising education, the parties strive for inclusivity, with a focus on, among other things, flexibility in the curriculum, promoting the expertise of all staff, providing information, internationalisation, digitisation, and preparation for and transition to the labour market.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Staff are given the opportunity to develop their professional skills, including in the areas of teaching methods and attitude, in order to contribute to an inclusive educational environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Process agreements<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The undersigned parties agree to:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>deel te nemen aan de werkgroep <a href=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/national-working-group-un-convention-vet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mbo<\/a> of de werkgroep <a href=\"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/landelijke-werkgroep-vn-verdrag-hoger-onderwijs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hbo\/wo<\/a>, die actief kansen zoekt om nieuwe impulsen te geven aan beleid ter ondersteuning van studenten met een ondersteuningsvraag en beleid ter realisering van een inclusieve onderwijsinstelling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>as a working group supported by the Centre of Expertise for Inclusive Education (ECIO), to formulate objectives and activities that contribute to inclusive education.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>de geformuleerde doelstellingen en activiteiten te toetsen aan de normen van het VN-verdrag, bijvoorbeeld door het vormgeven van monitoringsactiviteiten samen met ECIO. Deze activiteiten worden vormgegeven door de werkgroep zelf. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>opgedane kennis en inzichten tijdens een evaluatie met elkaar, met overige betrokkenen, en met de betreffende onderwijssector te delen, bijvoorbeeld via samenwerking met koepelorganisaties, zoals de MBO Raad of Universiteiten van Nederland en de Vereniging Hogescholen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Make your educational institution future-proof and truly inclusive! Join the national movement for accessible and inclusive education by signing the Declaration of Intent on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. National working groups on the UN Convention By signing, your institution will join one of the two national working groups: In&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3622,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","wds_primary_filter_domein":0,"wds_primary_filter_ondersteuningsbehoefte":0,"wds_primary_filter_sector":0,"wds_primary_filter_uitgave":0,"footnotes":""},"filter_domein":[97,148],"filter_ondersteuningsbehoefte":[],"filter_sector":[],"filter_uitgave":[],"class_list":["post-5671","tool","type-tool","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","filter_domein-governance-policy-agenda-setting","filter_domein-un-convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"filter_domein":[{"value":97,"label":"Governance, policy, agenda setting"},{"value":148,"label":"UN Convention Persons with Disabilities"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/ecio.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/VN-verdrag-1.jpg",1900,501,false],"author_info":[],"comment_info":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tool\/5671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tool"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/tool"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tool\/5671\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6191,"href":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tool\/5671\/revisions\/6191"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3622"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"filter_domein","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/filter_domein?post=5671"},{"taxonomy":"filter_ondersteuningsbehoefte","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/filter_ondersteuningsbehoefte?post=5671"},{"taxonomy":"filter_sector","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/filter_sector?post=5671"},{"taxonomy":"filter_uitgave","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecio.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/filter_uitgave?post=5671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}