‘Doubt’ for disabled

Press, 31 March 1980, Page 10

‘Doubt’ for disabled

The ... future of ~ disabled people is overshadowed with doubt and frustration, the president of the Canterbury branch of ; the Crippled Children '^Society)-(Mr? 1 -,R-■ R. Taylor)has said in. Christchurch. " .... "? ,The?principlfe‘ that disabled people should- be integrated into all levels of the community seemed to. be generally, supported. but no overall' plan.- existed to ensure, that? this integration''would take place, he said. ' •-. He said there was-a great need'- for carefully'.researched and co-ordinated planning bri what the future-held for 'disabled people, for voluntary as well as State involvement. More than just “lip service” tvas needed to be paid to the integration idea.

. The, Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act (1975) was a big step forward, but it only tackled a small number of issues which affected the disabled and ; their families.-. \ .

. Mr Taylor said that. bringing 1 disabled 1 children into the school system needed definite direction, from the State. ? ??-■•'.

Money) planning, and properly traihed?p6rsonnel were needed ifythe) integration principle is to be more?than just words. “Admittedly-j there, will still need to be; a period for many disabled children when they, must attend a .sheltered ' type of school, but over-all integration is a reasonable expectation for many hundreds of disabled young* people. . i

“A strong lead must be given by the Government as this integration affects all levels of life. Fy learning together, able-bodied. and disabled people will/learn tolive together, and the fear of isolation which faces many disabled people will be removed.” Mr Taylor said. . , Disabled children deserved a great deal more cori'jjjtlefation from State educational .groups if integration was e z ver to? be an accepted fact. ) ,■ ’ " -

“One can’t help- but' wonder how much consideration they will actually get when amendments are being pro-

posed for the Education Act without any reference to disabled children. This is dismal evidence of the Jack of detailed planning.”