Todd Churchill tries to get the message out about a lack of proper support in the province’s public education system for deaf children like his son Carter. SaltWire file photoA human rights case decision last week exposed gaps, failures and systematic issues in the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District’s policies and accommodations governing the education of deaf children.
Carter, now 12, has has cerebral palsy and is profoundly deaf. Carter does not have any intellectual disability or issues with cognitive function.Public hearings in the case were heard in August and September 2022. “During Carter’s Kindergarten year the roster of ITDHHs began sounding the alarm. They were reaching out to their superiors within the district seeking additional resources and changes to the programming model for students like Carter who had cochlear implants but were exhibiting severe language delays. Their warnings and calls for action were largely ignored,” Brodie wrote.
“I see evidence that problems addressing the needs of this cohort were brought to the attention of district personnel who were in responsible positions within the district bureaucracy and who could have responded by exploring these issues, evaluating options, and implementing change. I see no evidence that this would have imposed a burden upon the district amounting to undue hardship. It was not an issue of lack of resources.