DOWN'S SYNDROME AWARENESS WEEK 31st May - 6th June 2004
26/05/2004
Survey reveals countrywide problems with access to education for children with Down's syndrome as parents report prejudice, ignorance and inadequate resources.
PRESS RELEASE - EMBARGOED UNTIL 27th MAY 2004
NEW RESEARCH REVEALS EDUCATION SYSTEM IS FAILING CHILDREN WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME
- A third (32%) of parents of children with Down’s syndrome have experienced discrimination or prejudice from education professionals
- 51% of parents reported a lack of specialist knowledge and skills amongst education professionals, with a further 40% of parents feeling that schools lacked appropriate materials and resources for teaching children with Down’s syndrome
- Two thirds (66%) of parents find state provision of essential speech and language therapy is inadequate for their child’s needs
- One third (33%) of parents found getting a statement of special educational needs difficult with 43% making representations or going to tribunal to get an acceptable statement agreed
A report has been published today by the Down’s Syndrome Association to mark Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week (31st May – 6th June). It reveals the discrimination, ignorance and the failings of Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and schools to make appropriate provision and support for children with Down’s syndrome.
The report demonstrates the Government’s stated policy for more inclusion in mainstream schools is failing in practice because of LEA reluctance to provide sufficient resources. Many are accused by parents of cynically manipulating the statementing process to deny adequate support to all but the most vocal. In addition, parents are still being denied real choice, with 29% of those choosing special schools struggling to get access to dwindling places. Some LEAs even quote Government inclusion policies as justification for closing special schools down.
‘Whilst we welcome the Government’s move towards inclusion of children with Down’s syndrome into mainstream school, further support and provision for parents and students is clearly needed. The requests for help we receive from parents have a depressingly familiar ring as they fight discrimination and ignorance, reporting difficulties getting appropriate statements of special educational needs, obtaining speech and language therapy, or battling for a real choice between mainstream and special school settings’
(Carol Boys, Chief Executive of the Down’s Syndrome Association)
The Down’s Syndrome Association is calling for the Government, LEAs and schools to take urgent action to address these inequalities so that children with Down’s syndrome are no longer disadvantaged because of attitudes towards their disability. Key improvements recommended in the report include improved training and resources for education professionals as well as advocacy and support for parents.
For background information on Down’s syndrome and the Down’s Syndrome Association please visit http://www.downs-syndrome.org.ukand go to press office.
ENDS.
For further information please contact George Ames at The Forster Company: or email
Notes to Editors
- Interviews and case studies are available upon request
- The survey was conducted in March 2004 by the Down’s Syndrome Association amongst nearly 1,400 parents of children with Down’s syndrome
- The Down’s Syndrome Association exists to create the conditions where people with Down’s syndrome can achieve their full potential.
- The Down’s Syndrome Association has produced education support packs for special and mainstream schools. Please telephone to obtain copies or visit www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
- A statement of special educational needs is a document describing the needs of a child and the resources required to meet those needs.
For background information on education and Down's syndrome click here
For opinion pieces from parents and professionals on education issues click here
For selected quotes from parents as featured in the report click here
For the full 'Barriers to Education' report click here