“What does inclusive education mean to me as a teacher in 2014 and beyond?” “To be able to define inclusive education, it is necessary to understand the diversity of the student population. Disability comes in a variety of forms and can be physical, sensory, intellectual, mental, emotional, developmental, and non-visible (e.g., asthma). If disability were the only agent 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 under the societal/family/personal category (Ashman & Elkin, 2012). My definition of inclusion is “that equality and equity are the right of every student, regardless of barriers to meaningful learning.” All barriers must be removed to enable access for all to the content of the Australian curriculum, whatever structural or economic adjustments this requires. Inclusion does not necessarily provide guaranteed results, but is based on the concept of equal opportunities for all. » To be truly inclusive teachers, we must first know the student and identify the real reasons why an individual is classified as having a learning disability. In Australia, teachers need to be familiar with the many federal and state laws, regulations and frameworks that apply to inclusive education. Nationally, the following laws and standards 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; Australia's ratification...... middle of paper ......AP. (2014). Student participation. Retrieved from http://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/school-support/student-participation.html National Center for 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 the IEP. A quick look at the history of the Individual Education Plan also known as the IEP. Accessed 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 Education. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/education/pdf/SALAMA_E.PDF