Education for disabled is a right

HARDLY a day passes without banner headlines chronicling the gross inadequacy of State services for people with learning disabilities, or the relentless battles waged

As today’s report on the plight of yet another family shows, the State continues putting obstacles in the way of people campaigning for basic entitlements for some of the most vulnerable members of society.

Thankfully, the parents of Niall Cooney, a five-year-old victim of moderate autism, have finally secured State funding for his education after an exhausting two-year battle with the Department of Education. However, in common with other families, they were dragged through the legal system before a settlement was finally agreed in the High Court.