Jul 03 2008
Finding Child Care when your child has Special Needs
Finding proper child care when you have to work outside the home can be difficult. And when your child has Special Needs, the task can seem daunting.
This morning one of our members at IMDSA is facing that challenge. The child care centers she has called seem friendly and willing, until she explains that her son has mosaic Down syndrome. Then, miraculously, the center has no openings!
According the Child Care Resources the American law states, “First of all, child care providers cannot deny care to a child with special needs simply because of that child’s disability. Second, each child’s needs must be evaluated and determined on an individual basis. And third, the child care provider or center must make reasonable accommodations to assist that child to be integrated into the child care program. “
In 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed, which makes it illegal to discriminate against persons with disabilities in employment, public services, public accommodations, and transportation.
According to the ADA “Privately-run child care centers - like other public accommodations such as private schools, recreation centers, restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, and banks must comply with title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Child care services provided by State and local government agencies, such as Head Start, summer programs, and extended school day programs, must comply with title II of the ADA. Both titles apply to a child care center’s interactions with the children, parents, guardians, and potential customers that it serves.”
| The ADA requires that child care programs consider making changes in the following areas: | |
| • | Eliminating eligibility criteria that screen out children with special needs |
| • | Examining and revising policies, practices and procedures that discriminate against children with special needs |
| • | Eliminating physical barriers that prevent access to the program’s services and activities |
The ADA has a great list of FAQ’s to explain what the child care center can and can not do in regards to discrimination.
Being armed with this information may help families to find proper child care for their child with special needs. I imagine that the child care providers still attempt to discriminate and not allow the child in their center, however if you show the providers the law and let them know that you know the law, then perhaps they would miraculously find an opening for your child.
- Moms 4 Moms: Touching the lives of mother’s with special needs, one mother at a time!
- 10 Must-Ask Questions for your Potential Child Care Provider
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One Response to “Finding Child Care when your child has Special Needs”
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This is really sad and frustrating! I would also recommend to those who have children with special needs to look for Child Life students who might need a nanny job!
http://childlife.today.com/