Search Results » Family Advocacy

Schools in Italy: A national policy made actual

National Law 118 established the right of compulsory education for children with disabilities in regular classes of public schools. This law was enacted 24 years ago. In 1977 another law specified strategies for implementing inclusion.

Some significant ethical issues in residential services

Kendrick makes the differences between a 'home' and a 'facility/program' very clear in this article. People with disabilities are most often viewed as not needing a 'home' through the process of social devaluation but also through the socialisation and outlook of professionals in the field.

Relationship counselling for people with an intellectual disability

This is an easy to read short article of benefit to any friend, relative, advocate or caregiver of a person with a disability.

The making of a dad

This article maps two journeys of a father and son: a bush walk and the story of what a father has learned from his son with Down Syndrome. Both journeys feed into and represent one another.

The desire for inclusion in Wichita, Kansas

This is an article which discusses the philosophy and emerging practices of inclusive education, and then how these have come to fruition in the school district of Wichita (USA). The author makes a number of really great points.

1) The importance of having friends; 2) I have learned a lot.

In the first article, Palmer comments on what a visiting Canadian academic (Dr. Lutfiyya) has to say about friendship. Lutfiyya spoke about the need to facilitate friendships for many people who have historically been denied those connections we take for granted.

"I am intelligent": The social construction of mental retardation

The central argument of this article is that intellectual disability is not simply an objective, discoverable 'truth' that simply exists in the world.

Portraits of inclusion

This is a brief description of a program called 'On Campus' which provides eleven students with the opportunity to attend University. The article goes on to discuss the experiences of 5 of these students.

Faith and determination: Inclusive education benefits everyone

Another great story by the mother of a young girl who began attending her local school after 2 years at a special school.

Family supports for children with severe disabilities and chronic illnesses in Maryland

The author provides inspirational examples of how service provision for children who have high support needs can be provided in the family home, be adaptable to family needs and satisfy the needs of the child without being patronising, arrogant and flexible.