Education inequality

Disabled people need real access

THE plight of disabled people in Ireland has long been a cause of concern. Thanks to the courage of campaigners like Kathy Sinnott, we are more aware of the obstacles confronting them in their day-to-day lives.

The fight for education has been a major demand. But we now learn that provision of rudimentary facilities in mainstream schools and classrooms is not enough.

When disabled students are transferred from special needs to mainstream school they need more than ramps or special toilets. The present learning support system is inadequate for their needs, a finding endorsed by the National Disability Authority.

Having been forced to withdraw its deeply flawed Disability Bill, the Government must ensure these findings are enshrined in the legislation now being redrafted.

In the interest of ensuring real access to the learning process, it is essential to provide more than basic facilities. Otherwise, the ideals of true equality and inclusion which must be seen as basic rights for disabled people will not be realised.