| These days finding a special needs child in a | | | | I should pause to explain that this article is written |
| mainstream school would be like finding an "Enter" | | | | out of frustration due to a long run battle for our |
| key on a keyboard. | | | | child to be accepted at a mainstream school on a |
| The concept of institutionalised care and education | | | | permanent basis. The closest we have ever been |
| is almost a thing of the past. Though some circles | | | | able to get was 4 days at a mainstream school |
| still feel special needs kids and adults do not have | | | | and 1 day at special education - with this likely to |
| a place in mainstream society, thankfully these | | | | expand each year until she was a permanent pupil |
| groups are diminishing as the decades roll on. | | | | at the special education school. |
| The placement of Special needs kids in | | | | As parents we are in no way against the |
| mainstream school has many benefits to the | | | | Specialised Education our daughter requires. We do |
| special needs child but also the school community | | | | however, feel this Extra support could and should |
| as a whole. Mainstream school kids get to know | | | | be made available to her at a mainstream school. |
| the disabled child for the person inside the body, | | | | She should have the ability to have lunch with her |
| not the outward disability. This goes a long way to | | | | siblings, participate in Lunchtime activities with |
| improving social acceptance of the special needs | | | | mainstream kids, Attend sporting events - |
| kids both now as a child in school and later as an | | | | whether participating or cheering - and generally |
| adult in the community. | | | | socialise with her age group peers. |
| As a parent of a disabled child I often liken the | | | | The concept of splitting Education between 2 |
| use of Special School facilities to taking a bath | | | | facilities due to a disability is like splitting a child's |
| without any water or taking a flight in a plane | | | | world in half. Its saying "Its ok to be called 'normal' |
| without wings. | | | | a couple of days a week and 'disabled' for the |
| Just like we need water to take a bath we also | | | | rest of the week". |
| need a "normal" social setting to educate special | | | | The teachers call it "getting the best of both |
| needs kids about society and interacting in it. The | | | | worlds". Unfortunately we don't live in 2 worlds. |
| use of Special Education facilities is like taking a | | | | We live in one world and we should all be |
| mainstream school student to the desert to teach | | | | accepted as equal within it regardless of race, |
| them to swim. | | | | colour, ability, disability or orientation. |