disability discrimination affect access to educational resources
disability discrimination is one of the most prevalent forms of human rights violations around the world, and is a serious issue in education as well. Disabled students are often at a disadvantage compared to their peers, and this can be even truer for those studying at university level.
There are many reasons for this, and some of them are more serious than others. The main problem, however, is that schools and universities don’t always make the effort to ensure that disabled students can access their services and resources. It’s important to note that it is against the law to discriminate against people with disabilities in all aspects of life, and this includes education.
Indirect discrimination occurs when a rule, policy or practice is applied in the same way to everyone but it puts disabled people at a disadvantage. It can only be justified if it can be shown to be a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. For example, if the school operates a three strikes policy whereby pupils are suspended from class if they break rules three times, this would be indirect disability discrimination if it only applies to disabled children who are allowed to use guide dogs in school.
How does disability discrimination affect access to educational resources?
Schools and universities must comply with the ADA and Section 504, which offer civil rights protections for students with disabilities in programs that receive federal funding. These laws require schools to provide students with disabilities with a free, appropriate public education as outlined in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
But the reality of this is not always the case, and there are several obstacles that can prevent disabled students from being able to get the help and support they need in order to achieve their full potential. Some of these are physical barriers, but other issues are more subtle.
For example, a recent study found that many public-school principals are less welcoming to families with disabled children than they are to those of other races. This could be due to a variety of factors, including the perception that the child may not make good grades and a lack of understanding of the needs of the child’s disability.
In addition, some disability lawyer toronto may also be excluding disabled pupils from activities without realising it. This is where the duty to make reasonable adjustments comes into play. For example, it is unlawful for a qualification body to discriminate against disabled pupils when they are taking internal exams. It’s equally illegal for schools to exclude disabled pupils from school trips on the grounds that they may not be able to take part.
If you or someone you know has been victimised as a result of disability discrimination, then contact us today to see what we can do for you. Our team of Ontario disability lawyers is dedicated to helping the hurt, sick and disabled, all over the province. We work with community organisations to run disability awareness programs, and also assist disabled people to develop their own disability action plans.
