KUALA LUMPUR: Parents of children with disabilities should band together and speak up to have their kids included in the mainstream education system.
This is the opinion of National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC) president Datuk Dr. Amar Singh, who said Malaysian parents were currently not assertive enough.
"We need to build a ground force. The ground can change. The parents of children with disabilities can start the movement, and other parents can be sympathetic. I think we are ignoring this powerfulforce," said Amar.
Speaking at an interview at the Unicef offices here, Amar added that for the creation of an education system that included both able-bodied children and those with disabilities, the way parents are seen has to change.
"They are a force we have not adequately invested in, especially parents of children with disabilities. They have been viewed as aid recipients. But they are not recipients, they are partners and advocates - and they are a loud voice that can inspire other parents," said Amar.
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