Disabled Child and Mainstream Education - Getting it Right

Disabilities in the ancient world and especially in Greeceaccommodate wheel chairs. If the child doesn't suffer
and Rome were treated by getting rid of babies thatfrom any other disability or cognitive impairment, he or
were born deformed or with any form of disability.she would be able to learn as well as any of the other
Their obsession with perfection "allowed" them tochildren in the school.
commit unspeakable sins.2. Visual or hearing impairment or disability might not be
Luckily, civilization has come a long way and today weso easy to accommodate. Teachers need special
know that a disability doesn't mean we are dealingtraining to assist these learners as they cannot
with a lesser being at all. Some of the master brains ofcommunicate and learn in the same way as other
our society are disabled people. Stephen Hawking, thechildren do. In larger schools where there might be a
British theoretical physicist, is one of the best examplesnumber of children with these disabilities, a special
of a severely disabled person that made massiveeducation teacher can be appointed. In smaller areas
contributions to the world of science.with smaller schools the need might not be the same
The law expects it from schools to accommodateor it might not be possible to get a teacher with these
disabled children in schools and rightly so. Unfortunately,qualifications.
while the idea is noble and within the human rights of3. Children who are severely physically or mentally
the individual, the practical application might not alwaysdisabled will need special care that mainstream schools
be that easy.might not be able to provide. Again the smaller schools
There are many concerns that need to be addressedmight have more of a problem than bigger city schools.
before the decision can be made to say thatParents who need to make this choice should consider
mainstream education will benefit the child.all options and if the school can genuinely not provide
1. The severity of the disability will have an impact. Athe specific needs of the child, it might be necessary to
child that is physically disabled and in a wheel chair orlook for alternative opportunities. Who knows if this
have some difficulty walking would easily adapt in achild will not grow up to be the next Stephen
mainstream school where the school is equipped toHawking?