Editors Note: This article was written in 1992 but 20 years later our son is having to cope with the same issues. When will educators learn to respect the human rights of people who are blind?
EQUAL TREATMENT School board agrees to provide information to blind parents
One principal told us: It’s your responsibility to read what we give you.
By Angela Manglacasale
Citizen writer
Chris and Marie Stark wanted to be involved in their children’s education. But it took a complaint to the Ontario Human rights Commission to force a local school board to make it possible.
The Starks are blind. Their children are sighted.
For years, the children had to read aloud to their parents any notices, report cards and other school materials they brought home. The Starks asked teachers, principals and school officials to provide some of the material in a form they could understand without having to rely on their children.
“They didn’t understand what it’s like for a 10- or 12-year-old child to try to read a report card that they themselves are nervous about,” said Marie, a federal civil servant. “It was very a traumatic and distressing situation for all of us.
“One principal told us: ‘It’s your responsibility to read what we give you.’ That’s like saying ‘Flip a switch and see,’ ” said Chris, also a federal civil servant.
Now, as part of a human rights settlement, the Carleton Board of Education has agreed to provide information to visually impaired people in the form of audio tape, braille or large print.
The board has promised to provide
material, including report cards, notices
and newsletters, to the Starks at the same time it is sent to other parents. Also, the board will notify them every three months about school administrative issues, new publications and adult education matters. The board has promised to provide copies of these materials within 10 days of their request.
“This is a significant agreement on the part of a major school board,” said Fran Endicott, chief commissioner with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. “It is a clear recognition of the fact that persons with disabilities are entitled to the same treatment as the rest of the population and that such accommodation must be provided in a waythat respects their dignity.”
The Starks praised the board for coming to an amicable settlement, although it comes a little late for Daniel Stark, 18, who will graduate from Gloucester High School this year. His sister, Chantal, 14, will start high school next year.
The Starks, who live in Orleans, said they reluctantly pressed their case as far as the human rights commission so other families would not have to fight the same battle. As guide-dog users, they were conscious that others had fought so they could have the right to bring their dogs into public places.
The cost of providing this kind of material is about $1,200 to $1,500 per child, said board superintendent John Beatty.
The Carleton Board of Education believes in the importance of effective two-way communication within its system, with parents and the general public. Effective communication with parents/guardians with respect to the program and progress of individual students is considered essential.
1 The Board will make every effort to ensure that parents’ communication needs regarding their child’s educational programs are met in an effective and timely manner.
2. While most communication with parents will be in English through print material, interviews, etc., other methods of comniunication such as braille, signage for the deaf, large print, audio tapes, and translation/interpretation of other languages will be made available upon request.
3. Every effort will be made to ensure that parents who request communication in an alternate format are provided with information regarding their child’s education at the same time as other parents receive this information.
4. Parents with disabilities will be provided with access to other Board publications upon request, in a
format suitable to their needs.
5. The Board will maintain a communications strategy to inform and encourage people with disabilities to
use these alternate forms of communication.
6. The Director of Education will ensure that every reasonable effort is made to access community resources,
either voluntary or profesnional, to ensure effective communication with parents.
7. The Director of Education is authorizzd to establish procedures to support this policy.
ISSUED: 1989 REVISED: 1993
AUTHORITY: Board Minute: 469-89; 37-93
POLICY CO-ORDINATOR Su.?( .interident of School Operations
THE CARLETON BOARD OF EDUCATION
SECTION K: SCHOOL/COMMUNITY/HOME RELATIONS CODE
SUBSECTION KB: PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION KBDA
POLICY COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS USING
ALTERNATIVE FORMATS