walking . is . overrated

Some things really baffle me. One of those things is when a teenager with Down’s Syndrome is prevented from participating in a mainstream schooling environment because he isn’t allocated sufficient support funding, and, by mere virtue of the fact that he’s disabled, is seen as “a potential danger to themselves and others”. I’ve just been reading about Wellington 16-year-old Edward Watkins, who is only attends 14 out of his 25 weekly classes in a mainstream environment - the other time is spent in ’special ed’.

The reason for this is he is only allocated a certain amount of support funding to pay for a teacher’s aide. This is, of course, making the assumption that there is no way Edward could support himself, oh god no. In fact, the school’s principal, Mark Potter, had this to say about the whole situation:

Schools were in a “catch-22″ situation, either excluding a child because of the disability, or keeping them in class without adequate support when the child was a potential danger to themselves or others.

I’m sorry? Having a kid with Down’s Syndrome in a class without a teacher’s aide automatically becomes “a danger to themselves or others”? I think this is such an appalling attitude and does nothing but perpetrate the stereotype that disabled children and teenagers should be monitored and watched 24/7, as if they’re a ticking bomb. Surely by allowing him to interact with other kids in an inclusive environment is far more beneficial than isolating him by placing him under constant watch? What do you think?

[full story here]