CYP Now - In Practice: Know how - Disability equality

All public bodies now have a duty to ensure they treat people with disabilities equally. The Disability Equality Duty comes alongside other disability rights legislation placing an onus on services to do their best to be inclusive. Unfortunately, many extended schools, childcare services, and even new children's centres are still inaccessible to disabled children.

1. If you're planning a new centre or school facility then think aboutphysical access and space from the outset. Ideally you need one personto keep on top of this and ensure the needs of disabled children are acore part of designs. That person must liaise closely with families andtherapists.

2. Simple changes can make a big difference. Accommodating children withspecial needs need not involve major alterations at vast expense. Itcould mean putting in a few grab rails or providing a blender at anafter-school club for a child with special dietary requirements.

3. Don't assume that because a child has one-to-one support at school,that must continue into extended school activities. For example, a childwith autism may simply need a familiar member of staff to greet themeach day and then run through what is going to happen. It's likely thatchildren with complex health needs will not need therapy or to takemedication during those hours.

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