Janet O'Keefe

This book describes the present legal process for establishing an adequate educational ‘statement’ of the needs of a child with a disability, or appealing against one that is deemed to be inadequate.  The author has gathered together parental accounts of their experiences of that process and these form the main body of the book.  It does not make an entirely easy read emotionally: some of the stories are raw in the telling but in sum form a tribute to all the parents and professionals who have dedicated themselves to enhancing children’s prospects without compromise.  

This book forms the precursor to a weightier volume which will be written when radical reform of the present special needs education legislation (in England) has been settled.   The road to the point where reform has been acknowledged as necessary has sometimes been rocky.  The present legislation, although working well for many, has caused anguish for some parents as they saw their child’s needs go unrecognised or compromised by provision that did not suit them. They have had to fight their way through a lengthy and complex process to gain the right level of provision for their child, sometimes supported by expert professionals, sometimes alone. 

In producing this book, the editor and her team hope that we can learn from experience and, despite the present economic challenge, move towards a system that is workable and honest in its ambition. We can all (both parent and professional) contribute towards that positive future by making our voices heard, telling it as it is and saying how it should be.  

Dr Hilary Gardner, Department of Human Communication Sciences, The University of Sheffield, September 2011

Please join us at the book launch in Newbury Berkshire at 7pm on Friday 14th October 2011.   Cost £50 including a 3 course meal.

http://www.wordswell.co.uk/conference/