The Ministry of Education Youth and Culture draft policy a Special Education 2006, refers to the UN Convention on the rights of as Child and the UNESCO Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action (1994) which recognizes the bright of all children to education.
The United Nations Convention the Rights of the Child, General Comments 7 speaks to the provision of services as a right for all children including those with disabilities -
The Right to Survival an Development
The right to non-discrimination
Access to services for the most vulnerable
Health care provision
Standards for living and social security
Children in need of special attention
The right to protection from violence, exploitation, and neglectThe Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recently adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, December 13, 2006, places emphasis on disabilities and through of support to their families, their inclusion in free and compulsory education as a well their participation in cultural life, recreation and leisure activities.
The Disability Act of Jamaica which is still being developed will be a move in the right direction for the further development of services for children with disabilities and their families. The disability Act is anticipated to be a composite document covering legislation governing the State’s response to and responsibility for all citizens with disabilities. The areas specifically related to children with disabilities include access to appropriate education, medical and social services and support for families. The practical implication being that there will be an adequate number of professionals with special responsibilities for the delivery of services for children with special needs, access to adopted devices, medical/therapeutic interventions, physical facilities, appropriate curricula and education, and social and economic programmes.
Disability issues in health, Education Social Services and Protection are primarily human rights based issues. Families of children with special needs will need to be educated to understand how to access the health, educational, social services required by their children within this context. Affecting families attitudes and expectations towards their children’s potential, and their knowledge, based on disabilities and human rights as well their ability to advocate and lobby on behalf of the children is crucial.
Disability issues in Health
Various disability groups will require specific interventions for health such as medication to control seizures, mental and developmental disorders (chemical imbalances) etc; therapeutic interventions such as physical, occupational, speech and language, clinical and counseling psychology; surgical procedures, orthodontics (splints etc.) and adapted and assistive devices such as hearing aids and white canes.