Inclusion is the Key to Unlocking Every Child's Potential

This blog was written by Jacqueline Jodl, Chief Global Youth & Education, Special Olympics International

Inclusion is the Key to Unlocking Every Child's Potential

As the world marks the International Day of Education, it is a moment for reflection—and action. Education is the cornerstone of opportunity, but for millions of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), it remains out of reach. This year, Special Olympics issues its second annual Global State of Inclusion in Education letter, a call to action for global education and government leaders to make good on their commitments to inclusive education.

The State of Inclusion: A Reality Check

While many governments have ratified international treaties that guarantee the right to inclusive education, systemic gaps remain. Over 65 million children with disabilities worldwide are still out of school. Even in classrooms, barriers to full participation persist, ranging from inadequate teacher training to the lack of adaptive technologies.

Three key developments highlight both challenges and opportunities for advancing inclusion:

1. The Funding Gap for Inclusion: Despite evidence that inclusion drives better learning outcomes for all students, governments consistently underfund inclusive policies and practices. Initiatives like the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program demonstrate that inclusive practices can serve as catalysts for systemic change, but scaling these efforts requires significant investment.
2. AI’s Potential to Close—or Exacerbate—Gaps: Artificial intelligence is transforming education, offering unprecedented opportunities for personalized learning. However, without deliberate inclusion of the IDD community in its development, AI risks perpetuating inequities. To harness AI's potential, policymakers and tech leaders must prioritize accessibility and inclusivity.
3. The Need for Clear Frameworks: Most education systems lack concrete definitions of inclusion, leaving teachers and school leaders without the tools to create truly inclusive environments—and, most importantly, leaving students without the skills they need to be agents of change, fostering schools where their peers feel connected and find purpose in their education. To address this gap, Special Olympics and the Harvard Graduate School of Education have developed an open-source framework called Inclusive Mindsets & Behaviors.

Stories of Change: The Power of Inclusion

In every corner of the globe, progress is being made—proof that change is possible when governments, educators, and communities come together. Yet, the global state of inclusion is clear: the promise of inclusive education remains unfulfilled for too many.

The cost of inaction is devastating—not just for children with disabilities who are left behind, but for all of us as societies lose out on their unique talents, perspectives, and contributions. Inclusive education doesn’t just benefit these children; it creates stronger, more empathetic communities and unlocks economic and social potential for everyone. Yet, the progress we’ve seen is uneven, and far too slow.

As we approach the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, we can no longer settle for isolated stories of success. It’s time to make inclusion a reality everywhere—for every child, in every school.

To make this happen, global leaders must:

• Commit and mobilize financing for inclusive education initiatives.
• Demand and implement AI technology that serves all learners.
• Equip and empower educators and students with the training and tools to create inclusive classrooms and schools.
• Build and align data systems to track progress and address gaps.

The time for action is now. Together, we can ensure every child feels seen, valued, and included—because when we choose inclusion, we all win.

Join the Movement

Inclusion is not just a policy—it's a choice. Achieving this vision of inclusion is not the responsibility of one group alone—it requires everyone to lean in. On this International Day of Education, we invite you to choose inclusion. Advocate for change in your communities. Support initiatives that break down barriers. Together, we can ensure that every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

The challenges may be significant, but the vision of a truly inclusive world is within reach. As Dr. Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, reminds us: "The infrastructure of exclusion wasn't built in a day, and it won't be dismantled in a day. But each step forward brings us closer to our goal."