There is a dirty little secret going on in special education today. I hadn't known about the extent of the problem, despite considering myself a well-informed civilian when it comes to education issues. And I, as a former special-ed student, spent my share of time away from the class to chill out or think about my "transgressions"(which, even when isolation is properly applied, more or less, left me feeling more punished than mellow.) And I was not locked in the time-out room, nor denied access to a bathroom and/or attendant services. Even so, I doubt it was effective. But I had no idea about the extent to which the seclusion(or time-out) rooms have been misused in school districts around the country, culminating in a case in Georgia where thirteen-year-old Jonathan King hung himself, ironically with a belt that a teacher had provided for him to keep his pants up.

Okay, I warn you now, this isn’t going to be a pleasant, friendly post. So, if you’re not up for ranting and some serious anger, its probably best that you turn away. However, in this case, I think the justice system screwed the people of Belmont New York, the people of the United States and the entire disability community. This cuts to the heart of societies perception of what the quality of life for those of us with disabilities must be like and is a slap in the face to our dignity.

While I don't have children myself, I've been noticing lately families where one or more of the kids has a disability. I think the impetus for this was an experience I had recently.

I was traveling last week and, while waiting for a bus in front of the hotel, my wife and I noticed a family; mom, dad and three kids. One of the children, a little girl, appeared to have Cerebral Palsy. What was interesting was the deliberate efforts of the entire family to include her in everything and to hold her to the same expectations that everyone else had to follow.

The family was headed out for a day of fun and dad arrived on the scene with the little girl before mom showed up with the other children a few minutes later. And, in keeping with the stereotypical things that parents notice, mom immediately caught on that daughter was shoeless. Instead of asking dad why he forgot to get her shoes, she asked the girl why she didn't remind her father to put them on for her.