SCHOOL DISABILITY SUPPORTS: ‘These children suffer indirect discrimination’

Katie Lonergan from Owning near Piltown, Co Kilkenny, turns five next Wednesday and has cerebral palsy spastic quadriplegia. She had life-changing surgery in the United States last year, and is close to defying the early medical advice that she would never walk, thanks to intensive training, physiotherapy and other supports.

But her mum Aisling Lonergan had to pay around €185 a week for an assistant to enable her daughter Katie go to pre-school, which she finished in June. Here, she tells her story:

“Katie began pre-school in September 2013. Prior to starting we met with the pre-school and discussed Katie’s needs.