Why So Passionate?

Yesterday a parent complained that I am "rocking the boat" in the Fox C-6 School District.  "Why do you have to be so passionate?" The parent asked. It is not only me as an individual trying to get things above board for all students in this district. It is a team effort between myself and people involved with the ICAA. But in answer to the question, I am passionate because what I see is wrong and I am willing to do something about it.

"Rocking the boat" in this instance means standing up for the rights of all students in our schools. I am proud of the ICAA team for working towards positive change in education for all students with all abilities. I hope to see many more passionate parents and advocates stepping up. If you are not one of the people who will do so, that's your right, but please don't complain about those that are trying to make things better. Without advocates taking action, many of us may still have no right to even attend school, vote or have careers due to our differences. 

When I was asked that question by a Fox parent, I thought about something a reporter recently asked me.  He asked if I could change public perception in some aspects, what is one place I would start?

I guess I would start with the belief that people with disabilities get too many unneccessary or luxurious entitlements. These entitlements that some people complain about are certainly not luxuries. One example is the complaint about short buses* picking children up at home. I have commented on this before and I directed the reporter to this story out of Florida. When I made comment to Mr. Westbury, I wanted to make it clear that the fight is far from over for parents, advocates, and individuals with differences such as autism. How can I (or any other advocate) be anything but passionate when it seems we are running up against adversity at every turn, in every system, in spite of laws that are in place to protect us from having to fight for even so much as a same school day as peers?

How can I not be passionate when the only newspaper in town refuses to report that there were other public comments at Board meetings besides those complimentary in nature? How can I not be passionate when I know the efforts of the ICAA are urgent? How can I not be passionate when, in 1954, the final decision in the Brown v. Board of Education decision said in part:

"In these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education."

This is 2011. The discrimination is pervasive towards people with differences in ability. I have seen discrimination first hand myself. I am not willing to be a participant in it.  Of course I will continue efforts to make things better with a great team of advocates.

*many school districts operating the same separate schedules Fox engages in have used "not enough funding for enough short buses" as an excuse.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education found Fox C-6 School District non-compliant regarding equal educational treatment of children with disabilities. ICAA's public response is on this link.