The Department of Education and Learning has launched a consultation giving schools, colleges and educational establishments notice that new laws prohibiting discrimination in admission arrangements will come into force in 2005.
Proposals say schools will have to take "reasonable steps" to ensure disabled pupils are not placed at a "substantial disadvantage" in relation to their non-disabled peers.
But Monica Wilson, chief executive of charity Disabled Action, said the legislation did not go far enough because it would only apply to children with a statement of disability.
"The underlying issue is that no-one can tell us how many children have disabilities," she said.
She said the legislation was three years later than similar laws across the rest of the UK.
- www.deni.gov.uk/about/ consultation/consultation.htm.
