European strategy for the rights of the child: against "dys"crimination of children and exclusion of "dys" people
September 26, 2007 12:00 AM
By Liz Lynne
By Liz Lynne
Madam President, it is estimated that there are approximately 49 million people with some form of 'dys'ability within the EU. As many as 10% of children are affected by a 'dys'-type disability such as dysphasia, dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, or attention-deficit disorder.
Take the case of Sean in the UK. The teachers' report described him as stupid, awkward, disruptive and over-emotional. Because of his problem, he was marginalised and bullied by fellow pupils and teachers did very little to intervene.
Sean's parents were eventually forced to withdraw him from school after he arrived home badly beaten and bloodied, but the local education authority refused to provide tutoring or assistance, so education was left to his parents, one of whom was forced to give up work. Thankfully, a local support group was at hand and offered help to Sean and his parents. Other children in the UK and some other Member States are not so lucky.
We must exchange best practice across the EU, and this is where the Council and the Commission have an important role to play. Information must be made more available. Steps must be taken to spot, screen, diagnose and treat these disorders at an early stage. Structures must be adapted to integrate young people with disabilities into the world of work, and it is important that a European charter for people with 'dys' problems is drawn up.
It is also vital that research under the seventh Framework Programme is increased. There is no point in paying lip-service to disabled people's rights. We have to continue to fight to ensure that individuals like Sean are treated equally and given the help and support they deserve.
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