Schools have been encouraged to make better efforts to accommodate and include pupils with disabilities in all activities.
Next week has been designated Schools Make a Difference Week as part of the European Year of People with Disabilities programme.
All schools have been circulated with booklets emphasising the need to promote awareness among boards of management, teachers and schoolgoers of the abilities and rights of people with disabilities.
Teachers and pupils are being asked to link up with special schools and people with disabilities in the community.
Schools have been encouraged to carry out access audits to see how they could improve their facilities for people with disabilities.
School managers and teachers have also been asked to review anti-bullying procedures so that disability-related issues are dealt with appropriately.
The achievements of people with disabilities should be highlighted, not only the problems they face, according to Ms Angela Kerins, chair of the co-ordinating committee for the European Year of People with Disabilities.
The European Year of People with Disabilities website is
www.eypd2003.ie
