Advocates call changes to Sask. Education Act step backward for disabled kids

The Saskatchewan Association for Community Living called the act's description of students with intensive needs discriminatory.

"What we as an organization, as parents, have been fighting for many years is fully inclusive education," said association president Laurie Larson.

"Instead what this piece of legislation has done is gone backwards."

Section 178 of Bill 29 adds the definition of "pupils with intensive needs."

It addresses issues surrounding the assessment and educational services that may be required for such kids.

But Larson called the changes "regressive, shocking and simply unacceptable."

She argued that the bill, which received third reading but has not yet been proclaimed, does not support inclusion. In fact, Larson charged, the bill gives schools the ability to exclude students with disabilities - what she called "an out-of-sight, out-of-mind" approach.

"It doesn't take into consideration the child's right to be educated," said Larson.

"All it says is that if they (school boards) choose not to do it in the classroom, they need to set up a special program which is a step backwards to segregated classrooms and segregated schools."

"That is a very big concern for us because it most definitely is a step backwards," said Larson, who has two disabled sons.

In a news release, the association said the impact of the legislation would be far-reaching. It said if students with disabilities are not welcome in school for who they are, they will not be welcome in their communities.

The group wants the government to amend the legislation to guarantee the right to an inclusive education.

Education Minister Ken Krawetz stood by the legislation Wednesday, saying the changes give school boards more ability to identify a child's requirements based on a needs assessment model. Krawetz disputed suggestions that the changes would lead to the segregation of students with disabilities.

"The act does not allow for that," said Krawetz. "It allows for greater flexibility for the board to meet the needs of children."