we can do better.

i am often asked from friends, family and other moms what rights kids with different abilities (my new favorite term) have when it comes to learning and school. Here are the basics:

IDEA--Individuals with Disabilities Education
Enacted by congress in 1975, but has transformed and evolved through the years. Prior to IDEA, children with disabilities could be denied access to public education. IDEA entitles your child to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), designed to meet your child's needs (through the IEP). Most importantly, IDEA grants your child the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE).

Inclusive Education (IE) is defined as a process of addressing the diverse needs of all learners by reducing barriers to, and within the learning environment. (all kids together-- no segregation).

Noah, along with all children, deserve inclusive education. Least restrictive. Surrounded by his peers. Learning through modeling what a teacher can't teach. I often use the words "fight for him" because sometimes that is exactly what it is. It feels like a boxing match-- the school on one side and me, fighting for noah, on the other.

With that being said, a friend of mine and strong advocate wrote:

"I believe if general education students share the classrooms with their peers with disabilities we will inspire our children to be doctors who make medical breakthroughs, engineers who create products making the world more accessable, architects who design accessible homes and offices, compassionate and tolerant community leaders. We will inspire a whole new generation of teachers that will inspire future children to achieve greatness."

This is what we, as mothers to these amazing children, believe is possible and what we work tirelessly toward.

Change can happen. And possibly someday we will look back on this in awe --that this type of segregation was ever acceptable.