CRPD/C/GC/4 cyberbullying, which is increasingly recognized as a growing feature of the lives of students, in particular children. 52. Inclusive education requires recognition of the right of persons with disabilities to live within the community and enjoy inclusion and participation in the community (art. 19). It also demands recognition of the equal right of persons with disabilities to a family life or, failing that, to alternative care within a community setting (art. 23). Children in the care of the State party, residing for example in foster care or care homes, must be ensured the right to inclusive education and the right to appeal against decisions of the State party that deny them the right to inclusive education. Too many persons with disabilities live in long-term institutional care, without access to community-based services, including education, consistent with their right to, inter alia, family life, community living, freedom of association, protection from violence and access to justice. The introduction of inclusive education in the local community must take place alongside a strategic commitment to ending the practice of placing persons with disabilities in institutions (see para. 66 below). States parties should note the role that exercising the right to inclusive education will play in building the strengths, skills and competencies necessary for all persons with disabilities to enjoy, benefit from and contribute to their local communities. 53. For inclusive education to be realized effectively, persons with disabilities must be guaranteed personal mobility on an independent basis (art. 20). Where transportation is not readily available and where there are no personal assistants to support access to educational institutions, persons with disabilities, in particular blind and visually impaired persons, must be given adequate training in mobility skills to promote greater independence. States parties should also provide persons with disabilities with the opportunity to acquire mobility aids and appliances at an affordable cost. 54. Fulfilment of the right of persons with disabilities to enjoy the highest possible standard of health without discrimination (art. 25) is integral to the opportunity to benefit fully from education. The ability to attend educational environments and to learn effectively is seriously compromised if there is no access to health or to appropriate treatment and care. States parties should establish health, hygiene and nutrition programmes with a gender perspective that are integrated into education services and allow for the continual monitoring of all health needs. Such programmes should be developed on the principles of universal design and accessibility, provide regular school nurse visits and health screenings, and build community partnerships. Persons with disabilities, on an equal basis with others, must be provided with age-appropriate, comprehensive and inclusive sexuality education, based on scientific evidence and human rights standards, and in accessible formats. 55. States parties must take effective measures to provide habilitation and rehabilitation services within the education system, including health-care, occupational, physical, social, counselling and other services (art. 26). Such services must begin at the earliest stage possible, be based on a multidisciplinary assessment of a student’s strengths and support maximum independence, autonomy, respect of dignity, full physical, mental, social and vocational ability and inclusion and participation in all aspects of life. The Committee stresses the significance of supporting the development of community-based rehabilitation that addresses early identification and encourages peer support. 56. Quality inclusive education must prepare persons with disabilities for work life through the acquisition of the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary for participation in the open labour market and in an open, inclusive and accessible work environment (art. 27). 57. Full participation in political and public life is enhanced through the realization of the right to inclusive education. Curricula for all students must include the topic of citizenship and the skills of self-advocacy and self-representation as a fundamental basis for 15

Select target paragraph3