Parents

“When you get your child diagnosed you don’t get a ‘welcome to the disabled world’ pack.” (Rosalind, parent)

Daughter with Down Syndrome and motherParents of Disabled children and young people have to navigate complex information and make decisions about what is best for their child, usually without any previous experience of disability.

Their child starting a new nursery, school or college can pose challenges suddenly, as the legal framework for making decisions and securing support is not parent friendly.

Parents want to make the choices that will most help their child reach their potential, and government policy stresses parental choice. And yet this is meaningless when the real choices available to parents of Disabled children are poor: often a choice between special school, sometimes far away, and the battle to secure a welcoming, well-supported place in a mainstream school.

We want the system to stop putting parents in an impossible situation. Inclusion in mainstream society shouldn’t be a choice; it’s a human right.

We’re not an advice service – we tackle the problem at its root. For all children and young people to be included in mainstream education, the whole system has to be on board – not just parents but schools, education, health and social care professionals as well as politicians. We provide resources for those working towards inclusive education, put pressure on government to commit to it in their policies, and work to create a climate for inclusion.

We aim to get the voice of parents supporting inclusion heard at national level and to change the system for good – join us.

How Was School?

Our oral history project on Disabled people’s experience of education over the last century, including video, audio, schools resource packs and more.

Inclusion – a Welsh perspective

Tara Flood talks to Adele Rose-Morgan about life with her young son, Rhys

Legal Question

Q: I have been in touch with my local authority seeking an Education, Health and Care Plan assessment for my child, but they say their eligibility criteria for EHCP assessments do not include my child’s impairment and even if it did we would have to wait until April 2018 for the start of the new […]

The Geography Story

My daughter Katie, who has Down Syndrome, started at Durrington High School in September 2015: her high school journey began, and a love for Geography through a little personalisation from a very good teacher.

Legal Question

Can I use Article 24 in arguing for a mainstream place for my child?

What Makes a Good School?

As we see our world becoming more divided and people segregated, the need for tolerant, diverse and inclusive schools is greater than ever. Yet you may, like me, be wondering if there are any truly inclusive schools out there – willing and able to provide a meaningful education for all? – Lucy Bartley

Legal Question

Q: I am a parent of two children. My 13 year old non-disabled son has passed the 11 plus exam and is attending the local school, which happens to be a grammar school. I would like my 10 year old daughter, who has learning difficulties, to attend the same school. We believe my daughter will […]

How did I do as a blind dad?

ALLFIE trustee Mike Lambert considers his parenting performance as his daughter turns 21.

The Case for Inclusive Education

A handy guide to the what, why and how

An Inclusive Education Guide for Families

This guide is aimed at helping families seek inclusive education opportunities for their Disabled child.

“Who’s On My Side?”

How can I best support a Disabled child? In this video Disabled children and young people and those around them talk about the kind of help they really need: the support of allies.