After the Salamanca Declaration was published, the concept of children with special needs replaced the concept of special children's defects, which was generally accepted by all countries in the world.

What is special education?

Special education refers to the education of special objects by using special methods, equipment and means. Special education in a narrow sense refers to the special education scope for the physically and mentally handicapped, that is, education for the blind, hearing-impaired (deaf) children, mentally retarded children and problem children, and supports such education from the aspects of economic investment, scientific research, teachers and equipment.

Education designed (provided) to meet the learning needs of children with special needs is called special education. The Salamanca Declaration adopted by the World Conference on Special Needs Education held by UNESCO on June 1994 stated: "Every child has his unique characteristics, interests, abilities and learning needs.

The design of education system and the implementation of education plan should take into account the wide differences of these characteristics and needs. The education of different kinds of special children can be divided into blind children's education, deaf children's education, mentally retarded children's education, extraordinary children's education, speech-impaired children's education, emotional and behavioral disorders' education, multiple disabled children's education and so on.

The main spirit of special education is to consider the individual differences within each child and between individuals.

Implement the goal

The scope of special education is different in different countries or regions. Some countries or regions have put forward the goal of "zero rejection", that is, all disabled children should receive free compulsory education suitable for their needs. All kinds of public schools at all levels shall provide education and related services for disabled children, and shall not refuse their admission for any reason.

Special education in China is mainly for children and adolescents who are blind, deaf, dumb, mentally retarded and have other physical and mental defects. There are schools for the blind and deaf, schools for the mentally retarded or classes for disabled children, classes for mentally retarded children and work-study schools.

China's Constitution, Compulsory Education Law and Regulations on Education for the Disabled all clearly stipulate that "the state guarantees the right of disabled people to receive education" and "compulsory education is implemented for disabled children and adolescents".