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"Lack of Choice" Biggest Barrier for Disabled Children
"Lack of Choice" Biggest Barrier for Disabled Children
Disabled children have no choice of
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An endemic lack of choice for parents of disabled children is hindering equality, finds new exploratory research from disability organisation Scope.
The survey revealed 60 per cent of 260 parents said they had no choice of school for their child and out of these, 44 per cent were unhappy with that option. The age range of their children was mostly between five to 15 years. The children were attending a range of mainstream and special schools.
Richard Parnell, Research and Evidence Manager, Scope, said, "We are extremely concerned that under the proposed legislation, parental choice for disabled children will become a greater struggle. Even this exploratory research makes it very clear that the parents of disabled children are getting a raw deal when it comes to choosing a school for their child.”
Collectively parents said that the three most important factors in their child's education were: teaching and educational standards; care and support; and living in the community. In the cold light of day however, these three seldom come together.
It is also clear from the research that parents are often engaged in lengthy discussions with the local education authority (LEAs), ending in having to use tribunal systems, leading to a negative impact on parents and children.
REHACARE.de; Source: Scope
- For more information on scope's survey at: www.scope.org.uk
