Singaporeans should draft a charter for the deafblind children and young people. We need to learn to overcome our discrimination and respect them as equals with dignity! Lets be a kind society. Let the children expriences joy and happiness! No more tears, stress and suicides! We could draw lessons from citizens experience in UK. [Think Centre]
Children who are born deafblind face enormous challenges. Finding out about the world around them, learning to communicate and making relationships will be an immense struggle.
Despite this, deafblind children and young people do learn, develop and achieve - provided they, and their parents, receive the right support and adjustments. They are entitled to enjoy the same opportunities as any child - to play, to learn, to make choices and to join in the life of their community.
The[UK] Government has recognised the needs of deafblind children in recent guidance to local authorities. The guidance requires local authorities to provide specialist assessments, appropriate information, one-to-one support and services designed for deafblind people.
This Charter describes four key areas where direct action will change the lives of deafblind children and young people for the better.
We will work to ensure that:
1. Pre-school deafblind children are given the support they need to play, learn and develop.
Early childhood is a crucial time, when children learn an enormous range of new skills – including the ability to communicate, use language, and be part of a family. Deafblind children need extrasupport to learn, develop and use these skills.
2. Deafblind children are given the chance to take part in the life of their community.
Community activities offer deafblind children the chance to make friends, learn skills, and participate in society. Offering adjustments such as improved lighting, accessible venues and one-to-one support can transform the life-chances of a deafblind child.
3. Deafblind young people can participate in activities with people of their own age.
All young people develop their sense of themselves by mixing with people their own age. Many deafblind young people will need extra one-to-one support, plus other adjustments – such as support with travel – to join in the same activities as their peers.
4. Deafblind children and young people receive information in a way that suits their needs.
Deafblind children and young people need information to participate in, and make sense of, the world around them. Some will use sign language, simple English, or pictures, others will require braille or large print. And some will need another person to explain things to them.
Sources and Relevant Links:
28th October 2003 Deafblind Children Present Charter to Government
Deafblind children and their families handed in a charter to the Government demanding equal rights with other children on Monday 27th October 2003. Thousands have signed the charter, from Zoe Ball to Anne Begg MP, asking for better support for deafblind children and young people.
Sense, the national charity for deafblind people has organised the charter which has been handed to Baroness Ashton at the Department for Education and Skills.
.......... Baroness Ashton at the Department for Education and Skills said, "We are clear that we want to improve the support available to disabled children. Our children's Green paper called 'Every Child Matters' sets out our plans to provide more joined up services to help all children achieve their potential. We are currently consulting with young people and families on the green paper. I will be reading the charter from Sense very closely and was delighted to meet a group of children and their families from Sense today."
For more information, visit www.sense.org.uk/reachout/
The Petition: Charter to bring opportunities to deafblind children and young people.
