Schools urged to form parent-student support groups for children with disabilities

Schools serving children with disabilities should set up parent and student support groups for pupils and their caregivers, according to a recommendation drawn from a recent survey on emergency response for learners with disabilities.

The study was carried out with the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ). Among its focus areas was how emergencies — including the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Melissa — affected education for children with disabilities.

Dr. Shakeisha Wilson-Scott of the University of the West Indies’ Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work presented the findings today. She said shifting to online classes proved hard for disabled children and even harder for parents and caregivers, because homes could not match the backing normally available at special education facilities.

Dr. Wilson-Scott added that support groups for parents and caregivers ought to offer training and sensitisation.