“What does inclusive education mean to me as a teacher in 2014 and beyond? “In order to define inclusive education, we need to understand the diversity of the student population. Disability comes in my many forms and can be physical, sensory, intellectual, mental and emotional, developmental and non-visible (e.g. asthma). If disability were the only factor to consider in the diversity scenario things would be easier for teachers, but there are a number of other classifications of students to consider: gifted or talented; English as a Second Language (ESL); Indigenous students; and many other classifications that fall into the social/family/personal category (Ashman & Elkin, 2012). My definition of inclusion is “that equality and equity are the right of every student, regardless of barriers that exist to meaningful learning. All barriers must be removed to enable access to the content of the Australian curriculum for all regardless of the structural or economic adjustments this requires. Inclusion does not necessarily provide guaranteed results, but is based on the concept of equal opportunities for all. In Australia, teachers need to be familiar with the many federal and state laws, regulations and frameworks that apply to inclusive education. At a national level, the following laws and regulations protect students: the Commonwealth Anti-Discrimination Act (Cwlth) 2004; Cwlth Disability Discrimination Act 1992; Racial Discrimination Act 1975; Cwlth Sex Discrimination Act 1984; Human Rights Commission Act 1986; Ratification of Australia...... middle of paper......AP. (2014). Student participation. Retrieved from http://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/school-support/student-participation.html National Center on Universal Design for Learning. (2012b). Learner variability and universal design for learning [Online seminar presentation]. Retrieved from http://udlseries.udlcenter.org/presentations/learner_variability.html?plist=exploreRacial Discrimination Act 1968 (Cth) (Austl.).Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (Austl.).Special Education News. (2014). The history of PEI. A little look at the history of the Individualized Education Plan also known as IEP. Accessible at http://www.specialednews.com/the-history-of-the-iep.htmUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (1994). The Salamanca Declaration and framework for action on special needs education. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/education/pdf/SALAMA_E.PDF