Schools usually expect parents to be active in support of their child’s learning and to engage in school initiatives – with regard to homework, committees, working bees, fundraising and social events. You could say it’s the norm.
However, this expectation is based primarily on the more traditional family unit, generally with one parent as income earner and one – usually the mother – as homemaker.
The evolution of the modern family, however, challenges this expectation. Other additional issues also have an impact on a family’s ability to participate, or to engage, according to the ‘norm’.
Schools that serve their communities well, do not judge parents.
Disability is one of these. The issue of disability in schools very much focuses on the child, but parents are directly affected too. In the USA, over 4 million parents live with disabilities and 1 child in every 10 has a disabled parent.
Hearing impairment, physical disability, mental illness and intellectual disability don’t necessarily prevent individuals from becoming parents; neither do they prevent parents from raising their children well.
Parents who have disabilities, however, might find themselves precluded from participation in a school community if their circumstances are misunderstood, or if perceptions create further disadvantage and isolation.
In the USA, over 4 million parents live with disabilities and 1 child in every 10 has a disabled parent.
Schools that serve their communities well, do not judge parents. They actively seek counsel from external services so that all parents, regardless of circumstances, have every opportunity to participate as and when they can.
For further information on working in partnership with disabled parents, visit www.disabledparents.org
Copyright © 2018 Cheryl Lacey All rights reserved.
Parent, educationist and advocate of agitating change in Australian education. By raising the bar we can face any global challenges facing Australia and Australians.
Contact Cheryl on cheryl@cheryllacey.com
