As parents, what we hope for our children is that they will realise their full potential and this is perhaps more so for parents of children with a disability. Within our education system, there are guidelines in place that serve to recognise the individual needs of these children and attempt to provide an educational program to meet them. In the different educational settings these documents may be referred to as a Negotiated Curriculum Plan (NCP), School Support Plan(SSP) or other similar title. These programs are devised as a result of meetings between parents, teachers and other professionals involved in the care of the child. In the preparation of the child’s specific educational program, all parties strive to find a plan that bests meets his/her needs.
Despite the best attempts by all, there are times that the educational program implemented does not actually meet the needs of the child. As a parent, where do you go from here?
The first thing to remember is to trust yourself and your instincts. As a parent you know your childbetter than any other professional, and this knowledge provides the corner-stone of yourrole as a parent advocate in any future discussions about your child and his/hereducational needs.
Information is power.
To successfully advocate for yourchild, you need to be aware of exactly what your child’s rights are. This does notmean becoming an expert in disability law, rather simply educating yourself in terms ofthe rights and legal entitlements of your child. There are various different agencies thatcan provide support in this area. Amongst them are Disability Action Incorporated, EqualOpportunity Commission and Norwood Community Legal Service (for information about theFederal Disability Discrimination Act). Contact details for these organisations areprovided at the end of this article. Other parents are also a wonderful source ofinformation as they themselves may have previously dealt with a situation similar toyours.
Documentation.
If you raise issues of concern in aface to face discussion, follow up with a short letter stating that further to yourdiscussions you are simply documenting your position for all concerned. In this way, ifthe person that you have been dealing with moves to another position elsewhere in theorganisation, the new officer will have all the necessary facts available to them, toensure that they are aware of your concerns. Similarly if you are given verbal assurancesabout resolution of your concerns, politely request that you are sent confirmation ofthese details in writing. Before commencing any discussions by telephone, politely requestthe name, title and contact phone number of the person to whom you are speaking, so thatyou can contact them for any follow up discussions if needed.
The squeaky wheel gets greased
If you are unhappy with any aspectof your child’s education, it is your right as a parent to ask questions. Whendiscussing your child’s needs with the professionals associated with the educationsystem, try to remain objective. Remember that your argument is not with the individualacting on provided guidelines, but with the system that has established these workingguidelines. It is important to follow "correct procedure" and commencediscussions with the most appropriate contact person. Do not be intimidated or "putoff", if you appear to be getting the "run around". Continue to pursue thematter, through whatever means are available to you, until you feel that your concernshave been heard, understood and dealt with. Sometimes this may mean taking yourdiscussions to a more senior person within the organisation. It is your child’seducation that is at stake, so the educational organisation has a real responsibility todeal with these issues within an appropriate time frame.
For some parents, the thought of"making waves" is all too intimidating and not something they feel uncomfortablewith. There are organisations that can provide an advocate to act on your child’sbehalf. For children with disabilities who are from a non-English speaking background,MALSSA incorporated can provide an advocate. Similarly for children with intellectualdisabilities, Parent Advocacy Incorporated provides an advocate service. For children withother disabilities, Disability Action can provide volunteer advocates to act on yourchild’s behalf during NCP negotiations.
This concept of seeming to
be atrouble maker when advocating for your child’s needs can best be summed
up by thefollowing poem (taken from "What are we Advocates or Troublemakers"
- see linkspage for site details)
Advocates or Troublemakers?
Most definitely there are those whothink we are troublemakers, the minute we walk into a building.
Thinking we are there to find faultin the way they are teaching our children. I mean after all they are the professionals.
If you define troublemakers as aperson who advocates for a child who can not speak for its self as a troublemaker,
So Be It.
When you find a child that needs tohave its lessons read to them and you do something about it. Then they call you atroublemaker
So Be It.
The really odd part about all ofthis trouble making business is they should have already been doing those things in thefirst place.
My friend, that is Advocacy.
ORGANISATIONS (Contact details)
Disability Action Incorporated
62 Henley Beach Rd, Mile End
Ph 8352 8599, fax 8354 0049, TTY 8352 8022, free call (Country only) 1800 805 495MALSSA Advocacy disability multiculturalism
85 Grange Road, Welland
Ph 8346 1488, fax 8346 0221, TTY 8346 0297 Free Call (Country only) 1800 816 720Parent Advocacy Incorporated
5 Ninth St, Bowden
Ph 8340 4450, fax 8340 4452Equal Opportunity Commission
45 Pirie St, Adelaide
Ph 8207 1977, TTY 8207 1911, Free Call (Country only) 1800 188 163.
email eocsa@dove.net.au,Norwood Community Legal Service Incorporated
(contact Helen Finch; Disability Discrimination Act)
110 The Parade, Norwood
Ph 8362 1199, fax 8362 0410The Disability Information & Resource Centre SA (DIRC)
195 Gilles Street, Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
Telephone: (08) 8223 7522
Fax: (08) 8223 5082
TTY: (08) 8223 7579
Common Ground BBS: (08) 8223 2131
SA Country Callers: 1800 182 179 Email: dirc@dircsa.org.au