An in-depth study to consider the extent to which bullying effects the right of children with disabilities to an inclusive education

Bullying of children with disabilities is an issue which has been widely discussed for some time, both on a national and international level. However, this is often discussed from a sociological and/or psychological perspective, considering the reasons that children with disabilities are bullied and/or are perpetrators of bullying , what other pupils` perspectives of children with disabilities are and how this relates to bullying , the links between bullying and other social factors such as sibling aggression and school belonging for children with disabilities , as well as the impact and effects of bullying . There is also a wealth of literature around the use of inclusive education to promote and raise awareness of disability rights , however, there has as yet been surprisingly little research which analyses the linkages between inclusive education and the impact of bullying of children with disabilities.
Whilst there is a lot of research regarding the reasons for and long-term impact of bullying on children, there is little to no research on the impact of bullying of children with disabilities on their right to inclusive education. Every aspect of school life affects an individual's educational experience, and bullying can strike at the heart of a child's schools experience. Under Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons of Disabilities, States have an obligation to ensure inclusive education is directed at '[t]he full development of human potential and sense of dignity and self-worth...'. However, bullying goes against a child's sense of dignity and self-worth and as such has the potential to seriously impact their experience of inclusive education. Additionally, it is questionable the extent to which children with disabilities are truly receiving an inclusive education if, through bullying, they are being excluded from a number of aspects of school life.
The research I will undertake will aim to fill the gap in knowledge regarding how being bullied affects children with disabilities` right to inclusive education. I will undertake thorough desk based research into all relevant UK legislation, policies and guidance regarding bullying, inclusive education and children with disabilities to fully understand how the government influences school policies and practices. This will allow me to fully understand the legal context and obligations of schools regarding anti-bullying policies and inclusive education.
I will then conduct research into studies and data regarding inclusive education and the extent to which there is a system of inclusive education being implemented for children with disabilities as well as considering any research and data regarding the extent to which schools are implementing anti-bullying policies generally and specifically for children with disabilities. An analysis of up to date data on bullying of children with disabilities will then be undertaken to inform the background to which my empirical research will be undertaken.
My empirical research will then consider how bullying affects children in relation to their right to inclusive education. The questions will be aimed at teachers, parents of children with disabilities and children with disabilities, and will specifically target different aspects of the right to inclusive education in order to make an analysis of how bullying impacts different areas of a child's schooling and thereby draw conclusions as to the overall effect bullying may have on the right to inclusive education. The outcomes of the data may be used to inform a number of suggestions for ways in which bullying of children with disabilities can be targeted and prevented .