Families, Education and Disability Sectors Unite for Education for All Rally

23 March 2017

Disabled people, families, educators and service providers are rallying at The Hao Room, Te Hapua, Halswell Centre,341 Halswell Road

On Friday 31st March to let Government know that it is time to invest in Inclusion and their Special Education Update is totally inadequate

The Education for All Christchurch rally follows rallies held at Parliament in late September 2016 attended by families, school personnel and children’s rights and disabled people and organisations also the one in Auckland in mid November.

The Rally has been organised by two volunteers from the disability community they stated “ We volunteered because we believe in Education For All it should be a right to education” also support from the community and IEAG

We need a well-resourced education system that supports the rights of every learner to fully participate and succeed.

What is unique about this last Rally it is the only one in the South Island, Inside and the last rally before it goes to the Minister Of Education on April 6, there is over 3000 signatures so far we want more.

Join us for a short, family friendly event at : The Hao Room, Te Hapua, Halswell Centre, a library complex 341 Halswell Road to show that families and communties are united for education for all.

The Special Education Update is the latest in a long line of reviews, consultations and inquiries into ‘special education’ that have done little to remove the barriers to education for disabled people.

“We want the government to take notice of what families, disabled people and schools are saying and we want input into the changes so desperately needed

Children being excluded from accessing the curriculum, as well as participating in sports, recreation and cultural activities.

We currently have a system that makes it very hard for schools to provide disabled children with an inclusive education, teachers and families are trying to make the best of a very bad situation that isn’t of our choosing.

The group does not believe that the Special Education Update will solve any of the persistent problems and is not impressed that the Minister of Education has said that ‘special education’ groups support the proposed changes.

The Rallies is a united action that has not been entered into lightly by Education for All.

In the current climate NGOs are worried about funding being cut also NFPs it is not easy for any organisation that is funded by government to speak out

The disability community which the co organisers belong, community, families and the education sector are coming together and agreeing that we have to take action.” Education for All: Christchurch will be the last rally before it goes to government it will ask through the online petition that the Government makes a full commitment to disabled people and inclusive education by:

Meeting New Zealand’s international human rights obligations and our own legislative requirements to provide every disabled person with an inclusive education.

Removing the disincentives for schools at all levels to enrol and include students with disabilities by providing proper resources, supports and funding.
Working with the disability community, families, educators and service providers to implement a system that works for the individual learning.

Adopting a policy of universal design for learning so that everything, from the built environment, curriculum, teaching practices and support services, is accessible for all students.

Putting an end to children, families and schools having to compete against one another for funding.

The difficulties for children with disabilities and schools have been going on for far too long we want commitment by government to invest in inclusive education and stand up for the rights of disabled children in education.

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