Inclusion Now 56

Inclusion Now 56, Summer 2020

ALLFIE’s Communications Officer introduces the summer edition of Inclusion Now.

Michelle Daley reflects on her visit to Brimsdown School

The Coronavirus pandemic and spread of COVID-19 in the UK, particularly in England, the high level of fatalities (43,370 on 1st July) and ongoing impact on us all, is not accidental but the product of bad political decision making.

The RIP:STARS are back with an update on the Education Committee’s SEND Report they contributed to.

The cover of this issue of Inclusion Now magazine features a graphic story produced at recent Being Seen, Being Heard project workshops.

Adela Alberto dedicates this article to all the parents who think their children might have Special Educational Needs and who would benefit from some extra support from the school or other professionals.

For Disabled children and Young people to be properly included in education and social life it will require: removal of barriers with provision of individual adjustments; and to have the support they want for the impacts of their impairment on the functioning of their body and mind so they can thrive in their own terms and achieve equity.

Revisiting an interview with Profs Salvatore Soresi and Laura Nota, University of Padova conducted by Dr Elena Tanti Burlo’, University of Malta.

“My son Steve is in Year 6. I’ve been sent an NHS letter telling me he falls within the shielding group criteria for COVID-19, meaning he should not go out. Steve has an EHCP that includes speech, occupational and physiotherapy, and teaching assistance to help him take part in a full-time programme of learning activities, which can’t be done via on-line learning. Both the Local Authority and school are saying they can’t do anything as he’s in the shielding group and staff don’t want to put him and themselves at risk of contracting the virus. I’m worried Steve will receive no education until a vaccine becomes available, which could be up to 18 months – my son has a right to an education. What should I do?”