In 1995 a small group of disabled parents reported on results of a survey
into the experiences of families with disabled parents with school aged
children. It noted that access for disabled parents in UK was poor in
secondary schools compared to primary, and that access issues often
dominated choice. Facilities such as alternative format reports were
non-existent, and letters from school were a problem if print was not
accessible. Many parents made arrangements to have teachers phone them
rather than attend school for visits, but this impaired their relationship
with teachers and increased parental isolation, which many parents thought
far worse at secondary than primary. Secondaries that were designed or
adapted for disabled children would at least have accessible toilets etc for
parental use if visiting schools, and would usually be relatively
accessible, although cramped classrooms would sometimes negate the provision
of flat entrances. Particpation in Governing bodies and parent teacher
associations was difficult for some. There was less opportunity for parents
to offer informal classroom help than in primary, and a general distancing
of all parents in the secondary school environment.
Teacher attitudes were difficult to compare in the report, but many parents
reported that while individual teachers might be cogniscent of the
difficulties some children of disabled parents might experience, overall
there was little training. Since then, many counties have instituted young
carer programmes, which have helped families where sudden illness has
produced significant difficulties, and pastoral systems are better placed to
identify difficulties that have an impact on a child's school performance.
Unfortunately, this same training can also backfire, and have teachers
convinced that any child who has a disabled parent is necessarily going to
have low expectations and achievement. For some, it is a handy excuse for
poor school management. There was an expectation that children of disabled
parents would fare more easily in schools where disabled children were
catered for, but at that time there was no evidence that this worked out in
practise.
The report was "Families First", by the Association of Disabled Parents in
the Norfolk Area (PANDA), copies were sent to all main county libraries in
UK. PANDA is now part of the Disabled Parent Network. More resources are
available from
National Centre for Disabled Parents, Unit F9, 89/93 Fonthill Road, London,
N4 3JH Helpline: 0800 018 4730 Email [log in to unmask] Web
http://www.dppi.org.uk
Disabled Parents Network, PO Box 5876, Towcester, NN12 7ZN Phone 0870 241
0450 [log in to unmask]
http://www.DisabledParentsNetwork.org.uk
Best Wishes, Kathy
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