INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN FOCUS: LEGAL STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY

Abstract

The study explores the trajectory of Inclusive Education, highlighting the advances made in recent decades and the impact of public policies on the inclusion of people with disabilities. Initially, the history of exclusion faced by these individuals in the educational system and the struggle for access and permanence in formal education are addressed. Based on national and international legislation, such as the Brazilian Inclusion Law (LBI), the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular and higher education has gained prominence, resulting in significant transformations in pedagogical practices and educational environments. The article examines the different disabilities – physical, sensory, intellectual, and multiple – and the specific challenges that each presents for inclusive education. The text emphasizes the role of Law as an indispensable instrument to ensure equity in higher education, going beyond formal access and promoting conditions that allow the effective participation of all students. Accessibility policies are analyzed, ranging from physical adaptations to teacher training and the use of inclusive pedagogical materials. Despite the progress, challenges in the implementation of policies remain, such as insufficient resources, cultural resistance and the need for greater social awareness. The article concludes that, although it has advanced advances, achieving truly inclusive education requires continuous efforts to overcome barriers and realize the rights guaranteed by legislation. In this context, Law remains an essential tool to consolidate inclusion with equity and accessibility.