MEDIA RELEASE FROM CCS DISABILITY ACTION
Friday 1 August 2008
CCS Disability Action Supports IHC Complaint to Human Rights Commission
CCS Disability Action supports IHC's complaint to the Human Rights Commission that Government policies and practices
prevent disabled students participating fully at their local school.
"The current system remains one of the biggest barriers for disabled students being included in their local community
and it's something that needs urgently addressing," says CCS Disability Action CEO Viv Maidaborn.
The New Zealand Disability Strategy aims to increase the participation of disabled people in society and the Education
Act states that any child who has special education needs can enrol and receive education at their local state school.
"For many students this is not a reality and often they have to look at schools outside their community or are left with
no other option than attending a special school," says Viv Maidaborn.
Current research shows that children with disabilities do better, both academically and socially, when they are taught
in regular education settings. Their non-disabled classmates do better as well. Children taught in segregated settings
such as special schools have more difficulties in these areas, and are much more likely to face challenges when it comes
to finding work and participating in the community as adults. The research also shows that children with disabilities
fare best when schools actively work to be inclusive of all students.
"In light of the complaint to the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand should focus on supporting the rights and needs
of children with disabilities to receive a high quality education in their local school," adds Viv Maidaborn.
The solution is for Government and the education sector to commit itself to ensuring that policies, practices and
schools become inclusive. This means rethinking how we train and support teachers and principals, and how we resource
and support our schools.
CCS Disability Action welcomes discussion with IHC and Government to further this matter.
"We must be aspirational for all our students. New Zealand has the ability to create an education system where everybody
is welcome, has friends, is achieving, successful, and grows to be a connected contributing citizen. In short, an
inclusive education system," adds Viv Maidaborn.
ENDS