Media Contact:
Jonathan Riethmaier
Advocacy Communications Manager
(202) 540-8014
For Immediate
Release
PARENT’S GUIDE ASKS ‘SHOULDN’T
SCHOOL BE SAFE?’
TASH releases resource to inform parents and protect
against
restraint and seclusion abuses in schools
restraint and seclusion abuses in schools
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 12, 2011) – TASH, a nonprofit
advocate for inclusion and human rights of persons with significant
disabilities, has released Shouldn’t School Be Safe?, a
parent’s guide to keeping children safe from restraint, seclusion and other
aversive practices in schools.
The
process of finding help when a child is abused is not always clear, and many
parents are discouraged or overwhelmed by the patchwork of laws
and regulations handling restraint and seclusion in schools.
Shouldn’t School Be Safe? is a free resource developed
by parents for parents that offers insight and advice to respond to and prevent
restraint and seclusion.
“Many parents feel lost or disconnected in the planning
process for their child, and have only a limited idea of their rights to direct
that process,” said Barb Trader, executive director of TASH. “Parents seeking
answers and support should be empowered to make informed decisions that protect
their child.”
Shouldn’t School Be Safe?
offers preventative steps parents can
take to limit risk at school. The guide encourages parents to play an active
role in decision-making, including the creation of an Individualized Education Plan and behavior plan. It also
covers ways to build positive relationships and set the foundation for success
within the school and community for their child.
The
signs of abuse can sometimes be difficult to detect. This guide provides tips
for staying vigilant about the health and safety of students. It covers the
warning signs, physical and behavioral, that can indicate abuse. It also
outlines indicators that a school may provide a dangerous environment for
students.
Shouldn’t School Be Safe?
also includes information and
step-by-step actions for parents to take if they discover their child has been
restrained or secluded in school. These practices can be traumatic for children
and their parents. This guide outlines the immediate steps to be taken, and how
to respond in the days and weeks following an incident of restraint, seclusion
or other aversive practice.
This is a free resource for parents and includes sample
forms for incident debriefing and communicating with school officials.
Shouldn’t School Be Safe? may also be used by anyone
involved in the care and decision-making of school children.
TASH, along with the Alliance to Prevent Restraint,
Aversive Interventions and Seclusion (a TASH-led coalition of disability
organizations), is a leading proponent of federal legislation to protect
students from restraint and seclusion in schools. TASH’s 2011 report, The Cost of Waiting, documents restraint
and seclusion through the lens of the media, and is a free resource available
for download. More information can be found at www.tash.org.
###
About TASH
A
501(c)(3) non-profit organization, TASH is an international grassroots leader in
advancing inclusive communities through research, education and
advocacy. Founded in 1975, we are a volunteer-driven organization that advocates
for human rights and inclusion for people with the most significant disabilities
and support needs – those most vulnerable to segregation, abuse, neglect and
institutionalization. The inclusive practices we validate through research have
been shown to improve outcomes for all people. More information about TASH can
be found at www.tash.org.
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