Re: Plain Dealer Article

[Guest guest]

That is positively horrifying. I would like to say I'm shocked and

appalled, but, sadly, I'm not surprised. My children have been

treated like non-persons too often -- even in hospital ERs! This

article makes my heart hurt...but I can't say I'm surprised. IDEA --

individualized education designed to meet a child's unique needs --

is just that...a nice idea...a great theory that is not practiced.

Just my humble opinion and experience....

>

> Hello to all.

>

> Today's PD Metro section reported refuges being used instead of

evacuating

> some disabled children.

>

> My heart stopped when I read this article. I will not sleep well

tonight

> knowing that disabled children are placed in these situations. I

can't

> believe that no one can come up with a better plan like placing

children

> closest to the exits or how about not placing them on the second

floor? I

> hope if there is a parent who has a child in a wheel chair or has

mobility

> issues, or issues that would place a child on the refuge list that

you have

> been informed on the evacuation plan for your child. My heart

goes out to

> these little ones.

>

> Best,

> Sandee Winkelman

>

>

http://www.cleveland.com/plaindealer/stories/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/

119356069289940.xml & coll=2

> Schools create fire refuges for disabled students

> Sunday, October 28, 2007 Townsend

> *Plain Dealer Reporter*

>

> In an era of bomb threats, lockdowns and other emergencies once

thought

> unimaginable, clearing out a school in case of fire would seem to

be a

> well-practiced routine.

>

> But what happens if a child has a disability that hampers a swift

> evacuation?

>

> Some schools, especially those with more than one floor, opt to use

a room

> or closed-off stairwell where people who can't be moved quickly

will wait

> for firefighters to come to the rescue.

>