Inclusion isn’t optional – it’s a right for every child

Another week, another flurry of news stories impacting families with disabled children. It’s no wonder that so many parents tell us they are worried about their child’s future. Too often, support is treated as a “nice to have,” rather than something disabled children have a right to.

Merlin Entertainments recently announced that people with autism, ADHD, and anxiety would not be able to use the disability queueing system at Alton Towers during February half-term due to high demand.

But disabled children should never be treated as “too much demand.” Every child has an equal right to play, learn, grow, and simply have fun.

For children with hidden disabilities, everyday experiences that others take for granted- like waiting in a queue or navigating busy spaces – can be overwhelming. Distress, frustration, or meltdowns are not misbehavior; they are signs that a child’s needs aren’t being met, and reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled children have equal access to opportunities are crucial in ensuring they too can participate in all parts of life.

The irony of those – especially with hidden disabilities – being excluded from the thrill and joy of a rollercoaster, while families navigate a daily metaphorical rollercoaster of a system that often works against them, is not lost. News stories frequently focus on rising SEND costs and pressures on schools and local authorities, which can make families feel their needs are a burden rather than a right.

While there is a focus on local authority deficits and financial pressures, it’s important to remember the impact this has on how families are feeling. Our concern day-to-day is the ‘disability price tag’ faced by families who have to spend more to raise their child than others.

As we await news on Government proposals that we hope will address the SEND crisis, specifically in education, it’s essential that we think about the wider backdrop of attitudes in society. Society, communities, and businesses all have a role to play in creating a world where all kinds of kids have all kinds of opportunities. Because who wouldn’t want that, right?