The real beginning of my advocacy (the school officials would probably use another word) came when Billy reached school age. The custom at that time was for children with disabilities to attend a special school. In attempting to enroll him at age six, I found that he wouldn’t be eligible until age eight. (Other stipulations were being toilet trained and able to speak his name. He qualified on these requirements.)
What Billy really needed was the opportunity to be part of a good school. In the 1950s that didn’t seem possible. Only through parent advocacy and determination did educational services for children with disabilities evolve. Such advocacy and persistence are still necessary to insure that good education, in the least restrictive environment, will continue.
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