[stylist] Blind and segregation

Thu Jan 1 05:34:24 UTC 2009

Donna,

I don't really see anything wrong with being taught in the same school
as someone with learning difficulties or profound disabilities. Some
people with learning difficuties are the nicest people I know.

I spent some time at a special school. It was a total mixed bag. I
stayed their until my dad realised I wouldn't be taking any exams if I
stayed there. It was basically just a dumping ground for disabled
kids. The kind of school that probably promted the total inclusion
movement in the first place.

However it did enlighten me about the needs of all sorts of disabled
people. Including those with learning difficulties. Later I worked as
a Masseur for a day centre where many of the cliets had quite severe
learning disablities. I feel that a unity amonst all disabled would
definately be a good thing rather then each disabled group wanting
their own thing and nobody really speaking out for those who have
learning difficulties and more profound disabilities.

I also find I feel my differances more keenly when mixing with non
disabled people. I had to leave one 'normal' school because this boy
didn't want a 'mental deafo' in his class. Bullying happens everywhere
but it's been at it's worst for me in that mainstream school I went
to. I eventually had to leave.

I also don't see anything bad about blind kids having to leave their
families. In fact some families positively cossett their blind
children. They do everything for them. So they go to mainstream school
need so much extra help. Especially if the school isn't really geered
for teaching them to be independant. What kind of example is it going
to show normal kids when they come across blind kids like that? At
least at a segregated school the blind child would learn how to be
more independant.

I think integration has it's place. It would only work at school level
if the mainstream school had a blindness skills resorce room and the
proper facilites or the parents could push for these. But it doesn't
often happen. So rather then being dumped into mainstream without any
services these kids would be better off at blind schools even if it
means being taught at the same school as kids who are more disabled
then they are.

Helene.

On 01/01/2009, Judith Bron <jbron at optonline.net> wrote:
> One of my clients is a retired teacher of many years.  She taught elementary
> in a local system.  She did everything from classroom teacher to
> administration to teaching children with special needs.  She taught many
> kids to read who others said couldn't be taught.  In spite of legislation,
> when dealing with children's education other facctors such as the family,
> neighborhood, economic situations and influences on the child all weigh into
> it.  Take each one of these points, pull it apart and you will quickly
> realize why some kids make it and others don't.  You will also find those
> special kids who make it in spite of all the negatives in their lives.
> Judith
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Angela fowler" <fowlers at syix.com>
> To: "'NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 4:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Blind and segregation
>
>
>> Enforceable or no, they are poorly enforced at best, and therein lies the
>> problem.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Judith Bron
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 1:04 PM
>> To: NFBnet Writer's Division Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [stylist] Blind and segregation
>>
>> Since there are enforceable education laws on the books accompanied by a
>> public school system, if these laws are enforceable why are so many kids
>> graduating illiterate?
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: <LoriStay at aol.com>
>> To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 2:31 PM
>> Subject: Re: [stylist] Blind and segregation
>>
>>
>>> There you are wrong.   But like all laws, one sometimes needs an advocate
>>> to
>>> see they are enforced.   That's why the NFB.
>>> Lori
>>>
>>> In a message dated 12/31/08 12:30:14 PM, jbron at optonline.net writes:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Because, at the end of the day, the legislation is not enforceable.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> **************
>>> New year...new news.  Be the first to know what is making headlines.
>>> (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Writers Division web site:
>>> http://www.nfb-writers-division.org
>>> <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>>>
>>> stylist mailing list
>>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> stylist:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/jbron%40opton
>>> line.net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Writers Division web site:
>> http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>>
>> stylist mailing list
>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> stylist:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/fowlers%40syix.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Writers Division web site:
>> http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>>
>> stylist mailing list
>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> stylist:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/jbron%40optonline.net
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site:
> http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/dreamavdb%40googlemail.com
>