The volume provides a comprehensive discussion of special education from across the globe. The volume includes chapters from major countries such as United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Russia and Japan as well as countries such as Nigeria, Israel and Pakistan. Discussions related to these countries will include information on origins of special education specific to that country, prevalence and incidence rates, trends in legislation and litigation, educational interventions, working with families, teacher training, a perspective on the progress of special education, and challenges that remain.

The volume will be divided into four parts. Part 1 will present an overview on disability that focuses on two major themes, namely, the biopsychosocial approaches to disability and cultural views of disability. Part 2 will examine five major areas of high incidence exceptionalities: cognitive impairment, learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity, autism spectrum disorders, behavioural/emotional disorders and speech and language disorders.

Throughout the world, there has been a significant shift in whether, where, and how learners are educated regardless of their socio-economic, geographic, and disability status; gender and sexual orientation; family structure; and ethnic, racial, cultural, linguistic and religious background. Recognizing that the debates, challenges, research, initiatives, and recommendations concerning the best ways to provide a high-quality education to learners with a range of diversities continue to influence educational policies and practices around the world, The Oxford Encyclopedia of Inclusive and Special Education presents the contributions of a diverse international group of established and up-and-coming scholars who discuss an array of historical, current, and emerging issues that are at the intersection of inclusive and special schooling. While the Encyclopedia addresses inclusive and special education, the primary focus is on inclusive education as an international and 21st century movement that in part reflects and rejects the foundations of special education. By presenting global perspectives addressing the foundations, effective practices, policies, and workforce preparation initiatives related to inclusive and special education, these volumes examine a range of issues that are at the nexus of inclusive and special schooling.