Parents angry some special needs kids can return to school while others cannot

Two London, Ont., moms with special needs children say the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is giving their families the short of the stick by not allowing their kids to return to the classroom.

Amber-Lee Beattie and Nichole Cook both have elementary-aged kids who require one-on-one support from educational assistants (EA). 

Beattie's daughter Niamh, and Cook's daughter Quinn, are both non-verbal and have a seizure disorder called west syndrome. Niamh also requires an overnight nurse and uses a wheelchair.

"Since she's non-verbal, she's not able to communicate using her voice, or using an iPad just yet, so virtual learning is impossible," said Beattie. 

The board is offering in-person learning, but only for children already enrolled in schools that have a developmental centre. Niamh and Quinn's respective schools do not have a centre. 

The TVDSB said in a statement that students who need an EA will continue receiving that support through the virtual platform.  

"Using the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) as a roadmap, appropriate supports and accommodations are put in place to ensure that all students have meaningful access to the curriculum," it read. 

But the mothers say that is not enough. 

"She's just unable to learn online," Cook said. "I'm not prioritizing any significant learning at this point."

Cook says she's relying on family members to help her care for Quinn, calling this past week an exercise in survival. 

Beattie agrees, saying her workplace is accommodating but she is still staying up until midnight to get her work done. She says her daytime hours are spent with her daughter and two other school-aged children, who need supervision with online school.

Beattie has been requesting accommodations from the board, but was directed to the principal to find ways to improve at-home support. 

"My daughter deserves the right education, she cannot participate in virtual learning, and she meets the requirements for in-person learning, so why is she not being helped," she added.