Comment: Disability is no block to a good education

Friday 17 November 2017

Disability does not mean inability, but so often disabled activist and blogger, Melissa Alves, says she finds herself explaining that her disability was never a barrier to securing a strong education.

In her latest column, she breaks down the incorrect assumption that those with disabilities can’t engage in learning just like anyone else, and is full of praise for her own experience of the island’s schools...

"Many times I am asked, “have you been to school?” “Have you had a ‘normal’ education?” The answer is: yes, I have.

"I personally find that there is a stigma around having a disability, education and going to school.

"As most people know, there is a fantastic school in the island called Mont a l’Abbe specially for people with learning difficulties. It provides special education, which is great, however many people don’t realise that every person with a disability or learning difficulty are also often able to integrate into other schools just as easily.

Pictured: Young Melissa went to St Martin nursery school.

"Many mainstream schools also provide education for people with a physical disability, autism or hearing impairments, for example.

"I personally have a physical disability, I find that when someone sees that I am in a wheelchair they automatically think that I have gone to Mont a l’Abbe. Many times people have said “did you go to Mont a l’Abbe?” or simply assume that I did. “You went to Mont a l’Abbe then.”

"I actually went to mainstream schools: St Martin Nursery, Bel Royal primary school and Les Quennevais. I have great memories from these schools - I made good friends, and was able to take part in lots of activities, including donkey riding lessons at Bel Royal! Bel Royal was one of the best school experiences I had. When when I had physio in school, they would let me walk around the play ground in my walking frame. In PE lessons, I was allowed to get out of my chair and fully take part.

Pictured: Melissa says that she felt included during her school life and was given the opportunity to participate in different activities - like donkey riding at Bel Royal.

"No one is separated within a school because of their needs, everyone is educated the same and that is what I love about schools in Jersey.

"Unfortunately, there is also a stigma that going to a special education school is a bad thing. It’s not - you go to school full stop. There is nothing ‘special’ about it. Parents should be happy that their child is getting the same experience of education as everyone else.

"In my opinion, education in Jersey for people with disabilities and learning difficulties is brilliant, I couldn’t fault it in any way. I hope that people will soon realise that disabled children don’t all have to be confined to one special education school. But for those that need it, there is nothing wrong with going to a school that provides special education and there shouldn’t be a stigma.

Pictured: Melissa went to Les Quennevais secondary school.

"No matter what difficulties you might have, you’re still entitled to a good education - and getting that good education is possible in Jersey."