Friday, September 9, 2011

A Rant About F.A.P.E.

I'm different; not less.
Temple Grandin

F.A.P.E. - Free and Appropriate Public Education
- is an educational right of children with disabilities that is guaranteed
by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

I'd like to remind the school districts that it is your responsibility to educate our children with disabilities. They are entitled to an education under FEDERAL LAW. We, as the parents of children with special needs, realize that the cost to raise and educate our children is extraordinary.  But you never ever hear me say, "Cut the extra curricular activities for the typical children. My kid can't participate. Too bad. What do I care about your kid?"

But we as, special needs parents, hear this refrain constantly. Some school districts point us out. They put the bulls-eye on our backs and  are creating an us vs. them mentality. It's unnecessary. All I want for Boy Wonder and his peers is an appropriate education.  I and the other parents want to watch our kids grow, learn and succeed, just like any other parent.  Just as I want for my two darling neuro-typical girls who will participate in extra-curricular activities that Boy Wonder can not currently participate in.

Our kids are a vital part of the community. They teach compassion and empathy by just their very existence.  They have a lot to offer the world, if they are educated properly and given opportunities to succeed. I can only quote Temple Grandin,"Different not LESS!!!""

So listen up School Districts of America, do not MAKE ME GET THE CHICKEN. We are only asking for what our kids are entitled to both our special needs kids and the typical kids. A free and appropriate public education.



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7 comments:

  1. with a cluck cluck here and a "back off and give my kid what he needs" there...
    amen my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I. LOVE. YOU.

    You are fab beyond measure.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Right on! Now I have to read about the chicken. . . .

    ReplyDelete