Today's Education System and Sensory Disabilities

January 1, 2005

<The educational system has come a long way with special education.

But...we have a long way to go before we can truly say that we are

providing equal opportunities and appropriate educations for

students with disabilities, especially those with sensory

disabilities. Beth>

This is so true and one thing that really bothers me. Even though we worked

so hard in the 70's to create equal education for all children regardless of

their disabilities, I have visited the schools for the Deaf and in some

cases, I have been appalled at the conditions of the buildings that these

children are forced to attend because of their hearing loss. When I lived

in Rhode Island, I made quiet a stir by saying at a special meeting that the

state should be ashamed to put Deaf children in such a run down,

institutionally appearing, paint peeling and cracked and broken windowed

building. I left RI before I ever found out if they made any changes.

I find it hard to understand why we really need " special " schools for

children with any disability once they reach the age of eligibility for

public schools. I know some is parental choice but I also know that some

children are bussed many miles by their school systems to be placed in a

school for the Deaf because their own school district does not have

appropriate services for them. If children with mental handicaps have a

place in their local schools, so do all children regardless of handicap. I

also know that many of our children with cochlear implants have to find

schools that will work with their needs for special auditory training and

oral education. This should not be necessary! Families move to find proper

schools for their children with cochlear implants. This should not be

necessary!

OK - I'll get off the bandwagon now but this is one of those things that

really upsets me.

Alice

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