A week after a new law aimed at protecting the rights of those with special needs was passed in the emirate, Rebecca Corley, founder of the All 4 Down Syndrome support group, tells SHARMILA DHAL the challenges those with Down Syndrome face and how the new law could change things for them.
Rebecca Corley, founder of the All 4 Down Syndrome support group talks about the challenges Down Syndrome patients face and how a new law could change things for them. Excerpts from an interview:What are the main challenges facing children and adults with Down Syndrome in the UAE?
The main challenge is for parents to get children admitted into nurseries and schools as around 80 per cent of them are not inclusive. But high functioning children with Down Syndrome have a right to function in mainstream schools.
So where is the problem?
Most schools have long waiting lists and there are more and more kids who need learning support these days. In nearly nine out 10 times, children with Down Syndrome don’t get a chance because they need a full time shadow teacher/learning support assistant (LSA) which the parents must provide.
