It's off to school - a big deal

For immediate release 28 January 2009

It's off to school - a big deal for any five-year old

When Misty Te Momo-Pope turns five in May, she will start school at Naenae Primary School, in Lower Hutt. But unlike other five-year-olds, months of planning have already gone into Misty's first day at school.

Misty has a disability that affects her physical and intellectual development. She cannot walk without help, and can say only a few words.

Mary Te Momo, Misty's mum, says plans have been under way for months to get the funding and support that her daughter will need - including the support of a teacher aide, a speech therapist and other learning specialists.

Misty has been attending the pre-school at the Naenae School for two years and Mary says she has made great progress. "When she first went there, she couldn't even crawl." And she loves it. "When she comes home, she is all smiles and hands up in the air."

But even with subsidised taxi fares, it will cost $18 a day to take Misty to school and home again to Moera, about 15 minutes away. "It's hard for me and my partner, who is not working at the moment," Mary says.

With the schools now going back after the holidays, there are some families, like Misty's, who have a lot more to think about than new school bags and books, says IHC Director of Advocacy Trish Grant.

She says starting school is a big thing for any five-year-old. But for a child with disabilities there are many extra challenges, and support structures and resources that have to be put in place.

"A lot of planning will already have been done to get this far - IHC applauds the intensive work done by schools, parents and other specialists to ensure that a child with a disability gets the right start at school."

However, some children with intellectual disabilities would love to be setting off for school with their friends, but their local school is out of bounds. Some schools say they cannot put out the welcome mat because there is not enough funding and support for their teachers to do their best work with disabled children.

Families report to IHC that fighting for their children's right to have their learning needs met is a struggle. Government policy supports a child's right to attend their local school but, despite that, many disabled children travel to schools in other communities.

IHC has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission against policies and practices that prevent disabled students participating fully at their local school. IHC believes that these practices discriminate against disabled children.

ENDS

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