Are Educational Rights Being Denied to Disabled Children?

Over the last decade or so, a number of concerns have been raised with regard to the rights of disabled children in the UK. Disabled children may have needs can only be met through the operation of special educational needs (SEN) provision. However many aren’t getting what they need. Parent-led and advocacy groups are voicing their concerns that significant barriers exist in large numbers of disabled children receiving the education they have a right to. This begs the question of whether or not their rights are adequately protected.

A Growing Concern

Reports have highlighted the struggles that parents and carers face to ensure their disabled children get the education they deserve. During a recent meeting held in the Senedd, members of the Welsh Parliament were informed that many disabled children in the country were being denied their right to an education. This is despite the presence of a legal framework that protects the rights of these children. Still, families face inadequate support, extended delay, and insufficient provision towards the needs of their children.

Parents of children with disabilities often have to fight continuously to guarantee that their children receive the education to which they are entitled. Sometimes, the supply of additional support, such as teaching assistants or special educational provisions is either not supplied or is delayed for long timeframes. The absence of such support can lead to long-lasting negative effects on the child’s development and academic performance.

What Do Parents of Children with Disabilities Need?

Raising a child with a disability requires a lot of physical and emotional energy. Ensuring efficient education is an important part of securing their future. What then can be done for parents whose children have disabilities?

First, easy and prompt access to educational support should be provided to them. This would include adapted facilities specifically designed for such students with special needs. This includes pathways to access this support without delays.

It seems the system is now failing many parents, while reports across Wales indicate that children with disabilities are often left without resources and educational accommodations. But this gets even worse, as bureaucratic barriers do nothing to help when families have to navigate complexities to get their children a tailored education plan. These delays not only impact a child’s ability to thrive. They also put pressure on a family already attempting to work their way through many challenges associated with raising a disabled child.

What Am I Entitled to with a Disabled Child?

There are a number of national and local policies, such as the Equality Act 2010, that support the rights of disabled children in education. These guarantee disabled children a free and appropriate education. Including SEN assessments, tailored learning plans, and reasonable adjustments within mainstream schools where possible.

However, for many parents, these are often far from reality, many reporting a range of barriers to accessing their entitlements. In some areas, children are being denied specialist school placements. Some parents report being told they have to wait months or years before a suitable educational placement becomes available. This means that far too many disabled children are not receiving an education suited to their needs. Thus are not receiving the support to realize their full potential. This has a ripple effect on their future opportunities

The Consequences for Disabled Children

This failure to meet educational needs has ramifications. Not giving disabled children an opportunity to be educated limits them both in personal development and academics alike. Education involves not only academic achievement but also gives children the skills and confidence necessary in their future. Not having this, doesn’t advocate for their progress, and can lead to societal struggles in later life.

What’s The Take Away?

The question still beckons: Are disabled children being denied their right to an education? Although there exist legal frameworks that guarantee the right to education for all children, what happens on the ground often meets less than these standards. Parents of disabled children are left to negotiate a system that often is complicated and frustrating. Yet still often does not always deliver the support their children need. The authorities must immediately take steps to plug the gaps so that each and every disabled child gets the education they deserve, and that families get the support they deserve.