Gearies Infants’ Accessibility Plan

 

The school is required to have an accessibility plan under the

Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001. It is the Governing Body’s responsibility to improve access for all children, staff and parents with disabilities.

 

Disability is defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA)

“a person has a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day to day activities.”

 

The accessibility plan shows how the school aims to increase the extent to which disabled pupils can participate in the school curriculum and school life.

The accessibility plan covers a 3 year period (2007-2010) and it has been divided into short, medium and long term targets.

Here is a summary of the plan.

 

Short term

• To display images of disabled people in all aspects of life
• To track attendance and attainment of disabled children
• To ensure that all staff are aware of what the Disability Discrimination Act requires of them
• To increase participation of children with disabilities in after school clubs
• To train staff in Makaton
• To increase the number of staff who can administer medicines or medical procedures
• To increase different forms of communication around school e.g symbols
• To install Soundfield system(hearing amplification)  into at least 2 classes, ICT suite and hall

 

Medium term

·        To have an ongoing review of  curriculum and policies to ensure that they are in line with the requirements of the DDA

·        To provide information to Governors on the DDA and their responsibilities

• To increase whole school presentation access for children with speech and language communication difficulties, visual or hearing impairment 

·        To develop a range of resources which meets the needs of very young children with significant  needs

·        To have ongoing training in the use of Makaton

• To train staff in the use of Soundfeld system

 

Long term

·        To have reviewed all curriculum and policies to ensure that they are in line with the requirements of the DDA

• To a sensory garden which can be accessed by children with mobility difficulties, visual impairment  Long term

• To seek advice on how to adapt written resources for children with visual impairment

 

Children, Staff, Governors and Parent representatives on the School Council have been consulted on the plan.

 

Any further suggestions on how we can support children and adults with disabilities are welcome. We would particularly be interested to hear from parents/carers who have a child with disabilities or have  a disability themselves. Please send any written comments to The Deputy Head by e-mailing enquiries@gearies-inf.redbridge.sch.uk  or you are welcome to discuss any points with her. She can be contacted via the school office.