The Scottish Down’s Syndrome Association is launching new guidelines for hospital staff on how to tell parents that their new baby has Down’s Syndrome. The guidelines are being launched to coincide with Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week. The association says that how a parent is told can have a dramatic effect on how they relate to their new baby.
Evening Express (Aberdeen), June 2, 2001.

Five Wandsworth, London, residents were presented with certificates of achievement recently after completing their training as Independent Parental Supporters. The group are now qualified to offer independent advice and support to parents with a child with special education needs undergoing assessment. Some parents choose a relative, a friend or worker from a voluntary group to support them but they can also request a volunteer through the Wandsworth Partnership Service, which co-ordinated the training scheme. All five volunteers completed a total of nine training sessions.
Battersea News, June 8, 2001.

The head teacher of a city special needs unit today claimed moving children to mainstream schools had been rushed through. Rosemary Murray, head of the Raeden Centre, was giving evidence at a tribunal where a former Marlpool Special School head, Meg Taylor is claiming constructive dismissal by Aberdeen City Council. Mrs. Murray also claimed that special needs head teachers sometimes felt they were being treated like naughty children by education officials.
Evening Express (Aberdeen), June 12, 2001

Sheffield’s education department is beginning an ambitious consultation exercise to review the provision of education for children and young people with special educational needs. The principles of the project are based on the themes set out by the Government in its Education Green Paper: *Setting high expectations for children with special educational needs reflected in all school policies *Supporting parents of Children with SEN . *Promoting the inclusion of children with SEN within mainstream schooling wherever possible, recognising the primary importance of meeting individual children’s needs and developing the role of special schools to meet the continuing needs of some. *Changing the focus in meeting special educational needs from procedures to practical support and, wherever possible , prevention by early intervention. *Boosting opportunities for professional development for teachers and others. *Promoting partnership in SEN locally, regionally, and nationally.
Barnsley Star, June 14, 2001.

A Bradford group for parents of autistic children is appealing for more male members. The group — called Autism in Mainstream Schools, affiliated to the Bradford and District Autism Support Group — was formed last September and now has more than 30 members. But while mothers welcome the chance to meet up and share advice, the group is lacking in dads. ‘Men don’t always reveal their feelings as much as women,’ says health visitor Pat Preece. ‘Having an autistic child can put a huge strain on family relationships and both parents benefit from outside support. We would like to see more fathers at the meetings.’
Bradford Telegraph and Argus, June 12, 2001.

A youngster who suffers from a severe form of cerebral palsy has become the first youngster in Suffolk to be placed in a mainstream school using an electronic communication aid. Four-year-old Holly Goodwyn has been attending a nursery class at Sidegate Primary School in Ipswich for the past month and is already enrolled for full-time education at the school in January – thanks to the state-of-the-art computer device. The Alpha Talker computer gives Holly a choice of pictures which each have a set of words which when pressed release a computer-generated voice.
East Anglican Daily Times (East Edition), June 20, 2001.

A disabled student has lost her three-year battle for what she says is her rightful first-class degree after medication left her in a ‘drugged daze’ for her final year. Mother of three, Cathi Penman, 44, says the painkiller interfered with her work and added to frustrations she experienced as a disabled student. However, Sunderland University chiefs say they have found no evidence that she deserves a better degree. She has heard from solicitors at the National Union of Students that she can take her case no further.
Newcastle Upon Tyne Journal, June 22, 2001.

A head teacher has pledged to improve facilities for disabled people at their school after a serious accident left her in a wheelchair. Jane Roberts returned to Chase Terrace Primary School this week after badly injuring herself in a fall at her home. Her experience since her return have highlighted the school’s inadequate provision for disabled people and she has vowed to make changes. She said: ‘This has been a tremendous learning experience for me. I don’t think an able-bodied person can possible understand all the issues for our disabled pupils from observations. My accident has helped me to practically experience some of the difficulties which face our disabled students daily.’
Cannock Express and Star, June 22, 2001.

A meeting at the Groes Inn near Conwy marked a milestone in the struggle of disabled people in North Wales for equal opportunities. The meeting was held to mark the passage into law on May 11, 2001, of the Special Educational Needs and Disability in Education Act. The Act will enhance opportunities for children with disabilities to be educated in a mainstream setting and obliges all schools and colleges to review their provision for disabled childen and adults. The Disability Rights Commissioner for Wales, Dr. Kevin Fitzpatrick said: ‘Unfair discrimination against young people in the classroom and lecture theatre will now hopefully become a thing of the past.’
North Wales Weekly News, June 28, 2001.