There is a sweet little girl who wants to attend our program.
She is in a wheelchair (cerebral palsy) and has a full time assistant with her at school. Every week, when she is brought down through the cafeteria for music class, she stops to say hi to me.
She always wants to know what project we are working on that week, and admires the photos I post of our activities.
She's always smiling.
She has asked me how to be in our program, and I tell her that she has to get her parents to sign her up.
The thing is, we would not be able to take her. If a child requires one on one assistance, we're not able to have them in the program, because we can't provide that.
She always says, in such a wistful way, "I hope I can come play here someday."
And I always feel bad because I lie.
I say, "I hope so, too."
I know that it will never happen.
And although I can't control the circumstances, I feel guilty about it.
If her 1:1 aide would be with her, and the kid care is taking place in a public school, then I think federal law (IDEA and ADA) would require the program to take her. Her folks could look into it...even a short, inquiring letter to the school attorney asking for clarification of federal law in this matter should get the wheels rolling.
ReplyDeleteI have a kid with autism - been there, done that.
We are not part of the school district. We're a private contractor renting space from them. The assistant goes home when school is out for the afternoon, so we would not have anyone to be one on one with her.
ReplyDeleteWe can refuse service to anyone (not that I would... I'd take her anyway) but it's not up to me.
:::sigh::
She's a sweetheart.
Have you ever talked to her parents? Is it possible to make her a little "take home" kit with some of the crafts in it? Then, she could do them at home and you could display it with your other kids' crafts? Just something to make her feel a part of it?
ReplyDeleteJust a thought....
That's too bad. :(
ReplyDeleteJust rechecked with attorney well versed in law pertaining to disabilities (OK, hubby, but he is a lawyer and has been up on the law pertaining to special needs kids for over 12 years now, thanks to Joe) and doesn't matter if the company renting the space is private - it is still PUBLIC property and thus a disabled person would have to be accepted. If the parents did want the little girl in the program accommodations would have to be made to take her...or the company might not be allowed to rent the space at the school any longer.
ReplyDeleteOf course, then comes the problem of who finds and pays for an aide...but since odds are the parents won't be pursuing the after school care (or they would have already, most likely) it is a moot point (hey, I used a legal term!!)
Too bad I am sure she would enjoy it . What if one of her parents came so she could just enjoy the projects?
ReplyDelete