WASHINGTON, PRNewswire—
The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) released a troubling report on the use of seclusion and restraint with students with disabilities in
In a Capitol Hill press conference, NDRN and Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) outlined specific and severe cases of abuse, noting that inconsistent state laws and a lack of oversight for allegations of abuse are contributing factors. NDRN also called for the incoming Obama administration and 111th Congress to ban the use of prone restraint and seclusion under federal law. The group is also calling for a national summit to devise plans to implement these bans and encourage the use of evidence-based positive behavioral supports.
Rep. George Miller (D-CA), who chairs House Education and Labor Committee said, "Our committee will hold a hearing to look at how we can address and hopefully end these horrific acts." Advocates are calling on the Obama administration and Congress to address the issue by banning seclusion and restraint. The NDRN report includes recommendations for local school districts and state legislatures. The full report, “School Is Not Supposed to Hurt” is available at http://www.NDRN.org.
| SOURCES: National Disability Rights Network Releases Shocking Report on Seclusion & Restraint in http://sev.prnewswire.com/education/20090113/PH5848313012009-1.html The National Disability Rights Network http://www.ndrn.org/sr/SR-Report.pdf |
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28 comments:
Something really has to be done about this seclusing and restraint that is still allowed in some states. School is supposed to be like another home and students should feel welcome and safe there and not be afraid and tortured. Just because a person has a disability doesnt mean there are not human; all men are created equal,....what ever happened to this. I really do hope an act is made to ban something so immoral and unjustly. Priscilla F.
It was astonishing to read that such treatment among students with disabilities is being allowed. There is often talk on how students (those without disabilities) have no discipline because teachers are afraid of being reprimanded, but it seems students with disabilities are not an exception to this rule. These students are not even being disciplined, but just left in isolation without any reason.They are being treated less than human, and the fact that this kind of behavior is still occurring in this day and age is incomprehensible. These children are at risk for injury and death and I pray that the NDRN's release of this report will spur the Obama administration into action. Something needs to be done and now. For students to be put in locked rooms or boxes is disturbing, and I hope this article and others can raise awareness and start the implementation of strict laws against this in all states.
Laura E. (Rivas)
I’m happy to read that there’s valuable organizations dedicated to protect and defend the people with disabilities. I hope this petition is accepted by the congress and compromises to take immediate action to stop the abuses and discriminations against people with disabilities in the United States.
Esly B.
I was reading this article and that is not right what these so called professionals in schools are doing to these students with disabilities. They are putting them in boxes and isolating them in rooms. They are treating them like animals. These poor kids must feel really scared to even go to school its suppose to be a public and safe place for children to go too, and instead its becoming something so terrible, terrifying place. What is even scarier is there are deaths involved. I really do hope NDRN can do something about it. Because, it really is not right. I do hope they ban it from the United States.
Belinda G
I did not know that things like this happens in America. It is not this childre's fault that they have disabibility, they should be protected, it is sad to know that thay are given such inhuman treatment, this is very disturbing, a school should be home away from home, not an isolation camp.
Anthonia F
Wow, this is shocking to hear. You would think that all schools have policies or guidelines at least, on the restrain or seclusion use in schools. How could anyone lock a child in a room or box, this is ridiculous, especially at a school. Parents are suppose to trust and feel that there kids are safe with the schools staff, I guess we can’t always be too trustworthy. I hope something is definitely enforced to not ever let this happen again.
Erica P.
This is sad news. There is so much that could be said, but I want to address the following quote from the original post: "41% of the states/territories shown in red on the map above have 'no laws, policies or guidelines concerning restraint or seclusion use in schools.'"
Do these same states have "guidelines" against a parent locking a child in a closet or in a box? I would think so, but after much googling I found very little information. I assume that CPS would consider a child being locked in a room by a parent as abuse, what difference is there if it is a school that does the abusing.
Margaret T. Case Management I
I honestly do not even know what to say to this article. How could someone, espeacially schools, seclude and lock up their students? This is an unbelievable and unimaginable situation. You would think that schools, being a major part of a child's life, would protect their students. I am glad that action is being taken place but it needs to ASAP.
Lizette G.
How could a school restrain a young child because they believe the person is "acting up" If anything, a school is supposed to know how to handle a situation like this. I also think this school and probably others have been doing this to kids for awhile because they never got caught. This is no way to treat any person its not like they are criminals. Hopefully laws are put in place to deter this kind of treatment!
This is unbelievable. How can they treat a student a human being this way. These schools should be look under close supervision. Something should definitely be done and fast. School is a second home to the student and the teacher is the guardian, one goes to the school to learn not to be physically abused.
Jessica A. M
If there is anyone in Missouri who has a story regarding this issue or wants to promote change in Missouri and Nationally, please go to http://nomoseclusion.blogspot.com/
Ange (Missouri: Families Against Seclusion and Restraint)
My son's story: http://nomoseclusion.blogspot.com/2009/01/zachs-story.html
Schools that do this are just wrong, they have no authority what so ever to do this to hurt children in this matter especially children that are not even theirs. People such as teachers and principles have no right to be able to lay a hand on a child an put them in seclusion or even in a box just because they have a certain disability and can not speak for themselves. Many people take advantage of these situations and I'm glad to hear that they are trying to put a stop to it. They are right school is not suppose to hurt. I'm glad that the NDRN, Chris Dodd and Rep. George Miller plus the Obama Administration are coming together to get this problem solved as fast as they possibly can. This will show these school members that they are not joking when it comes to children these children are our pride and joy and our future.
R. Hernandez
The Release of the troubling report on the use of seclusion and restraint with students with disabilities in U.S. schools in shocking to me. I can’t believe that physical and emotional injury and even death are occurring in 41% of the states/territories shown in red on the map above because they have “no laws, policies or guidelines concerning restraint or seclusion use in schools". People in charge of these laws should make a change because its only time when their kids are the ones being mistreated by the schools.
Laura.C
This article was very heart breaking. I could not believe that maltreatment still occures in curent day. I would sit in class and think that i was glad that times have changed and that PWD are no longer being abused, however I was wrong. It is inhumane to isolate the students or even place them in boxes. Those actions are incorrect to practice with any person, such events should not take place. We need to make everyone aware that such things are still occuring and should be brougth to justice.
Paula S
There are laws already in place that school's can't inflict any hard on children. Why doesn't this include children with disabilities? The main issue we should be focusing on is that these schools are breaking the law clear and simple! Child abuse to ANY child, non-disabled or disabled is against the law, and those school officials should be held accountable and responsible for any abuse that goes on in school. This is a crime. Why aren't we doing anything about it???
John-Robert I.
Immediate action should be taken to this issue! These treatments that are occurring among these students is astonishing. Whatever happened to discipline?
The fact that there are organizations who help PWD somewhat makes me feel some sort of relief. Everybody in school, especially at their age should be treated equally. And as Priscilla says, -what ever happened to "all mean are created equal?". Such treatments should not be permitted.
Anel C.
Schools are a place were learning about disabilities should be included. Children must be taught to respect others with disabilities.Seeing this article is very sad, seclusion and abuse should never be present in any school.
Y Torres
I wasn't aware that so many states have no laws at all in these matters. I'm pretty familiar with seclusion and restraint as it was used in the early 1990s, but I've been having difficulty assessing how prevalent the problem is these days.
I'm also surprised that I can't seem to find any articles on children being taken into rooms where they are then held down for a half hour. Is anyone else familiar with this?
This is just down right unbelievable. Where are the parents? How do they not know that their children are not being treated fairly or at least treated as human beings? If I had a child and I found out that the school district was reastraining them I would be royally upset and protest about it. How can people pretend to send these children away and throw the key away. Even in the valley there was a story on the news about how the school was evacuated due to a bomb threat but they failed to notice the building where the special need children were at. What is wrong with people? How can you forget that these people deserve to be treated with just as much respect as the next person.
Aaron G.
I agree with Y Torres that schools are a place were learning about disabilities should be included. Kids should know about disabilities so that they don't see it as something that is not normal.
Alberto
I thought those days were long gone. I didn't think schools still did that type of stuff. I honestly thought there were laws against it. Considering parents get questioned when kids go in to the hospital for any little thing, you would think the government would have laws against schools doing things to harm kids that don't belong to them.
Vanessa M
NDRN's call for more laws and policies to be made to end school seclusions and restraints used on students with disabilities, shows that people out there really care to make a difference for PWD. To end the abuse that PWD constantly are faced with.
-Sergio M.
It was interesting to read this article and I am more interested now in learning more about these unfortunate situations happening across the country. Although some children with disabilities require more time and attention, it is unnecessary to treat them or isolate them like prisoners. I think that teachers, staff and other professionals should be better trained in behavior management and better educated in disabilities and working with a specific population.
Anna Lee Ocanas
REHS Foundations - online
Ok this issue a very contriversial issue for me. I don't agree with seclusion or abusive restraints, and according to our NASP guidelines we do not support corpal punishment, but since as a special education teacher of a severe and profound behavioral self-contained unit i once had to use inappropraite restraint on a student who tried to stab his brother who was also in my class. All i remember is twisting his wrist back (just a reaction) and although i had been to ceral cpi trainings in the "heat of the momment" sometimes you forget about "procedure" but i guess there are also people who abuse it and its wrong, but in my case i feel a sprained wrist was better than a long time in jail or rehabilitation center.
adriana :--)
This issue is one that I feel very strongly about. As a school teacher, I understand the importance of creating a safe learning environment, and completely agree with the person that said school is supposed to be a child's second home and a place of comfort. While i do agree with Adriana, who said that we often get caught in the moment and react impulsively, I think with proper training a majority of these situations could be avoided. Seclusion is never the answer. As sad as it is, i believe there are still people working in our schools that see children with disabilities as burdens and dont realize the harm that their negligence and maltreatment causes.
MGARZA
Schools supposed to be a safe environment for children with or without disabilities. It is shame that children have been abused like that by “teachers” who supposedly are caring and educated professionals.
What is going on with our schools system in America?
I applaud the effort of the NDRN to take these actions to the public eye, and hope for the government to make the necessary changes to end this cruelty.
Mary Carmen T.
My son has been in three different schools...and he was held back an extra year because I homeschooled my son...which I am doing now...because on september the 8th of this year, my six year old son who has high-functioning Autism and adhd...told me that the autism teacher and the aid SAT on his chest!!!needless to say ...I pulled him out that day...!!!now everytime we drive by that school he starts screaming that he does'nt want me to take a right turn..."don't let them kill me"...he is scared for his life...the special education director told my son basically that she thought he was making the whole thing up! Yes! I am mad! Because now ...they are denying me access to my sons school records..yes..denied me the right as his parent and I am so angry at the wayne county school district because they have greatly failed in their responsibility to provide my son FAPE under IDEA (2004)...and this is only half of the nightmare me and my son has had to live in ....my child is so afraid to go back to school now ......
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