BC ED ACCESS

BC ED Access Society

I am a privileged white chick with full physical capabilities.

Friend

 I don’t want to be perceived as ignorant, but it can be easy to forget that some people struggle their way through every waking day.
Getting out of bed, taking a shower, ordering food, taking the bus, learning at school, performing at work, putting on a fresh pair of clothes…
while these may seem like simple tasks, they can feel completely out of reach for certain individuals.

I thoroughly appreciated the presentation by Tracy Humphrey,
spokesperson for BC ED Access, an organization run by volunteers
dealing with human rights issues surrounding the process of advocacy to equally accessible education…

and here I am almost wide-mouthed wondering why is such
an important component of certain students’
accessibility to education, run solely by volunteers?
Shouldn’t this be part of a ministry department or something?

I have witnessed specialists come into the classroom with their clipboards and observe students.
 I have seen them come back with fancy stools, tools and objects, taking a flash minute to demonstrate to a student how to properly use these, rarely taking the time to discuss how it can benefit them as a learner in such a social environment…

With that being said, I do have confidence in the psychoeducation specialists, whom I trust are doing the best they can with the resources appointed to them. I wish there were more of them and I wish they had greater powers.

More and more students are being designated, more and more students are in need of a designation. An increased number of students require specialized support to enable them to experience an enriching school atmosphere, one where they may show up as they are and follow the class flow.  More students are experiencing difficulties learning and coping in this social and dynamic world that never ceases to evolve, nor stops to amaze me.

Before I close this reflection there were a few words from Tracy’s presentation that stood out for me:

ABLEISM
I have been seeing this word increasingly on social media and the web. More people need to recognize the power and privilege they have, where they do not encounter barriers every day.
“Discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities, based on the belief that typical abilities are supporter”
“Presumption that someone should be able to do”
“Rooted in the assumption that disabled people require fixing and defined people by their abilities, this is a neo-colonial assumption” 

BE PROACTIVE
As educators, we will be at the forefront of young children with disabilities, especially families and teachers navigating new circumstances as these traits come to light. I believe, as future educators, we will have to demonstrate flexibility through this telling time where there will be an increase in the diversity of needs, especially when it comes to accessibility to education and supporting resources.

ADVOCACY
Again, as future educators, we have to be ready to stand up for our students’ rights!