Parents with disabilities and school
Schools, colleges and universities have a duty to parents with disabilities to let them have reasonable access to services related to the education of their child or children. This is to ensure that parents with disabilities can be fully involved in their child's education.
The Disability Discrimination Act
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) covers many areas of everyday life, including education and access to goods and services. Generally, the provisions in the DDA to do with schools relate to pupils with disabilities.
However, many services provided by a school do not relate directly to your child's education, but are considered a 'service to the public' and are covered by the DDA (Part 3).
Your child's school should make 'reasonable adjustments' to procedures and policies, or provide you with aids to help you access their services, like putting information in accessible formats. They must not refuse to provide a service, or provide a lesser service, to you as a parent with disabilities.
Things schools can do to support parents with disabilities
Consider contacting the school to ask them the ways they support parents with disabilities. For example, do staff members get disability awareness training, how accessible is the school and how is information provided to parents?
Information for parents in alternative formats
Examples of how and when schools can make reasonable steps to provide information in alternative formats include:
- providing a school's annual report, quarterly newsletter or your child's school report in Braille, large print, 'easy-read' or on CD
- if a school's complaint procedure says you should write to the head teacher, you should be allowed to make a verbal complaint if you are unable to write because of your impairment
It's also important to speak to your child's teacher(s) to make sure you have what you need to help with, and supervise, your child's homework.
Communication Services for deaf or hard of hearing parents of school age children
Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995, all schools are expected to provide communication services to deaf or hard of hearing parents of pupils (hearing or non-hearing) so that parents can access information about their child’s education and progress. There are several types of communication services available including British or Irish Sign Language Interpreters and Note-takers.
The Department of Education recommends the use of qualified communication service providers. Registered and qualified interpreters are bound by a code of conduct and must therefore maintain confidentiality on all assignments.
To access these services, in the first instance, contact your child’s school and advise them of:
- the type of communication service you need
- when it is needed
Please remember to give the school as much notice as possible to ensure they have time to arrange the most appropriate communication service.
Further information may be obtained by contacting your local education and library board.
Belfast Education and Library Board (BELB) Equal Opportunities Unit | North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) Equality Unit |
Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) Tel: 028 3751 2200 | Western Education and Library Board (WELB) Special Education |
| South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) CAOs Office tel: 028 9056 6233 email: barbara.davison@seelb.org.uk SEELB website |
Parents' evenings, school events and meetings with staff
Examples of how and when schools can support parents with disabilities include:
- using a pen and notepad to communicate with you if you are deaf or hearing impaired and/or providing induction loops in a certain room
- arranging for an interpreter - for example, in British Sign Language (BSL) and/or allowing more time for one-to-one meetings
- updating you on your child's progress by telephone or email if you are unable to attend a meeting because of your impairment
- holding a meeting in an accessible location (for example, to avoid stairs) if you have impaired mobility
- providing a script of a school play if you are deaf or hearing impaired to help follow the action
Visiting schools and accessibility
Examples of changes to policies and procedures, where appropriate, that your child's school could make under the DDA include:
- assigning a member of staff to be responsible for meeting your access needs when you want to be shown around the school - including if you are blind or visually impaired (for example, so you can familiarise yourself with the school's layout)
- making sure the school is accessible if you are a wheelchair user by using ramps or making alterations to doorways
- providing parking for disabled people and/or making sure other parents' vehicles do not block access
- allowing a parent with disabilities to be accompanied by their support and assistance dog
School transport
The decision on whether, and how, to offer assistance with school transport is made by your local Education and Library Board. You can find contact details for your board at the following link.
Parents' rights
Having parental responsibility means assuming all the rights, responsibilities and authority that a parent of a child has by law. You also have rights as a parent relating to your child's education. For example, being able to teach your children at home. Find out more in the 'parents' section of nidirect.
Help and advice from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is a good source of information and advice in respect of disability rights. You can contact the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, or visit its website for more information, as follows:
- phone: 028 9089 0890
- textphone: 028 9050 0589
- fax: 028 9024 8687
- The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland website
Organisations like Disability Action can also offer you support and advice. You can contact Disability Action or visit its website as follows:
- phone: 028 9029 7880
- Disability Action website
addThis
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Winter help and advice
Child Maintenance Choices
New Year, new career?
