The mother of a boy who is deaf and blind says she is frustrated after being told her son will not have the one-on-one assistance he needs to understand lessons in his preferred setting. Advocates say without this specific support, inclusion is "superficial" and the student will not be able to meet his full potential.
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00:00In January next year, Ari Bennett starts kindergarten, so mum Jamie is getting him ready.
00:12He connects with the world through touch because he's deaf and blind.
00:17He requires one-to-one at all times or waking hours of his life in order to access communication,
00:25language, mobility and learning.
00:28Jamie wants Ari to learn alongside other children who use sign language and has found a hearing support class at a local public school.
00:37But she's been told the NSW Education Department will not fund one-to-one support in the hearing class
00:44because the class itself already receives special funding.
00:49He still needs that one-to-one with him in that classroom.
00:53Ricky Chaplin is also deaf-blind and he wants Ari to have the opportunity to reach his full potential.
01:00Ari cannot see sign language and requires tactile sign to learn.
01:05Well, it means that inclusion for Ari is somewhat superficial.
01:10The support is not there and he can't participate fully.
01:16Jamie has asked for special consideration to allow Ari to have extra support and is still waiting for clarity.
01:23Confusing. Very confusing. Very vague. Open.
01:29Disability advocates say current inclusion policies do not accommodate complex disabilities.
01:36Parents are left scrambling because they don't know where to go to next and who it is that can really help them.
01:42Car.
01:44The NSW Education Department says all parents of children with disability should contact their local school two years before their child starts
01:52to ensure their needs are understood.
01:55It says it's committed to making sure every child gets the support they need
01:59and it will continue working with the family to provide assistance.
02:03Oh yes.
02:06airlines
02:21And support their students.
02:24Cal.
02:26This program has been structured over every eight months,