Disability or Disadvantage? Pupils with Immigrant Background and Ethnic Minorities with Special Educational Needs in Austria

In the Austrian educational system, the entitlement to special needs education requires a prior diagnosis of physical or mental disability. Drawing on statistical data and the results of qualitative empirical studies, this article identifies disparities of social class, ethnicity and gender in the population of students with learning disabilities. It highlights the inherent problem of labeling disadvantaged students with learning difficulties as disabled. There is a need for introducing inclusive educational measures in order to meet the requirements of a diverse pupil population and to overcome inequalities of the educational system.