Racism hinders disabled pupils

All our children belong, by the charity Parents for Inclusion, found that not only did most families with disabled children experience difficulties, injustice and isolation, but disabled children from black and ethnic minority (BEM) families also experienced institutionalised racism too. It said, 'Early inclusion is very important and should start at nursery.'

The report, which was the result of a three-year research project, said disabled children from BEM groups are over-represented in special schools, are more likely to be excluded from school and grow up to be poorer, and have less independence and fewer job prospects.

The report also found that parents of BEM disabled children often feel intense pressure from their local education authority to send their child to a special school and do not get enough support in mainstream settings.

It said, 'The failure of statutory bodies to appropriately inform, support and educate BEM parents of disabled children on the workings of health, education and social systems has resulted in the lack of parental participation in the decision-making process. This in turn perpetuates the social inequality for black disabled children and has a devastating effect on their life chances.'

Christine Shekoni from London, who was interviewed for the report and whose nine-year-old son has a learning disability, said she felt the stereotype of the 'disruptive black boy' led to her son being excluded unnecessarily on two separate occasions from his mainstream school. 'I don't think they understood his needs. They needed to support him in a different way in the classroom, not by putting him outside it.'

The report concluded, 'The way BEM disabled children are treated by the education system is probably the result of unintentional racism, with teachers subconsciously influenced by negative stereotypes.'

Institutional racism therefore acts as a huge barrier to social inclusion for these disabled children.'