Truly Pathetic....

[bazwillrun]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/12000482/Blind-girl-seven-banned-from-using-white-stick-at-school-as-it-is-health-and-safety-risk.html

If as the school says there a high chance of staff and pupils tripping over, then perhaps they should do what this poor girl cant and thats open their eyes and look where they are going !.....

[Baldric]

PC gone barking mad.
And 99% of those who voted agree

[anotheoldgit]

"a high chance of staff and pupils tripping over",

I would like to 'trip over' the head-teacher of that school.

[TheChair]

Except that, if you read the article (something ABers rarely do - preferring to start yelling as soon as they've glanced at the headline), you'll find that she hasn't been banned from using the cane, and the school would simply like her to use a slightly shorter one. They've tried to discuss it with the mother, who preferred to start stamping her feet and calling in the newspapers.

[Gromit]

This has come from an outfit called The Sensory Support Service (SSS). From what I can make out, many local authorities have set these up. I resume they get funding to do this. They seem very keen on providing 'guiders' to children rather than let them move about independently. I cannot help be suspicious that the opinion that this girls stick is dangerous, is just a pretext to get a Sensory Srvice Support worker into the school full time. It is more about justifying a job placement than helping the child.

The SSS Guidance notes for blind children states:

// It is important to remember that this is a recommended technique but that if someone already uses a technique which they are comfortable with, is safe and they are confident using it, then they do not have to adopt this technique. There may also be social, cultural or physical reasons why someone prefers to use an alternative technique. //

http://www.sensorysupportservice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Full-Training-Document.pdf

In this instane, that seems to be ignored in their haste to get the SSS into the school.

[Baldric]

Just love the arrogance ///something ABers rarely do///

[Mamyalynne]

The School have gone about this the wrong way really - allow the little girl to carry on using the long cane and in the mean time she could get some extra training to use a shorter cane.

This will give her flexibility in different areas and situations.

I'm sure none of her class mates and teachers have a problem, some tick box exercise no doubt.

I have a white cane (though not blind) and have only ever used it in anger once with the desired result.

They shouldn't be making her life any harder than it already is.

[mushroom25]

//I have a white cane (though not blind) and have only ever used it in anger once with the desired result. //

oh my. hell hath no fury like a mamyalynne scorned eh?

[Sqad]

Children who normal vision can be a health hazzard, as in parents allowing them to run around cafes and restaurants whilst waiters are transporting hot food around.

It does seem that the school needs to seek a compromise here.

[youngmafbog]

I doubt the school want to find a compromise. I suspect Gromit has it about right.