Human rights activists have long called out aversives [shock therapy and similar tools], restraint [physically immobilizing someone] and seclusion [keeping someone away from everyone else, also known as involuntary confinement] as human rights abuses.
These are practices that are rightfully considered torture if done to prisoners but ones that still happen in our public schools. disabled youth are targeted every day for things like hand flapping and speaking out. When these abuse tactics are used, the media says nothing, schools try to hide it, and parents often do not find out this has happened until their children are showing signs of PTSD [post traumatic stress disorder], bruising and broken bones.
Here is a video by annam20 that describes this silent abuse [trigger warning]:
You may also remember advocates fighting for the closing of the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center in recent years. JRC is one school that continues to use shock therapy and other “treatments” on children.
Recently, a bill has been introduced in Congress that addresses restraint and seclusion.
The bill, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247/S. 2860), includes:
* A prohibition on the use of restraint and seclusion in schools unless a student’s behavior poses an immediate danger of physical injury and less restrictive interventions would be ineffective.
* A prohibition on the use of any mechanical restraint, chemical restraint, or physical restraint that restricts air flow to the lungs, and any other aversive behavioral intervention that compromises health and safety.
* A requirement for adequate training for school personnel imposing restraint and seclusion.
* A requirement for immediate parental notification and a school debriefing following each incident of restraint or seclusion.
* A requirement for states to create a state plan that incorporates the minimum standards and report annually on the number of incidents of restraint and seclusion.
[To sum that up--- stopping use of r & s unless student is physically attacking someone ---also know as "immanent danger"---, stopping anything that restricts air flow and other potentially life-threatening moves, better training for school personnel, letting parents know right away, school addressing each incident, and each state being required to make a plan for carrying it out and reporting.]
Right now this bill is in need of sponsors… Please use this form to contact your congressman or via congress.org asap and let them know that you will not stand for human right abuses in our schools.
Thank you! Wonderful post!
Posted by Savannah Nicole Logsdon-Breakstone on December 30th, 2009.
Restraint and Seclusion – We Have a Big Problem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWm7hW9q3ZI&feature=player_embedded
By signing the petition in the link below your U.S. Legislatures will be contacted.
Protect Children by Supporting the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act
Targeting: The U.S. Senate and The U.S. House
Students with and without disabilities have for too long faced a situation where they must fear physical violence, injury and even death as a result of aversives, restraint and seclusion at school. We believe that school should be a place of learning, not a place of fear. This action alert is to promote the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act, which represents a crucial step forward for students with disabilities in particular, who are the most vulnerable to these practices, and fulfills a key provision of the Justice for All Action Network Joint Campaign Agenda, calling on Congress to pass comprehensive legislation addressing the use of restraint, seclusion and aversives. Amongst the valuable provisions of this legislation are:
* A prohibition on the use of restraint and seclusion in schools unless a student’s behavior poses an immediate danger of physical injury and less restrictive interventions would be ineffective.
* A prohibition on the use of any mechanical restraint, chemical restraint, or physical restraint that restricts air flow to the lungs, and any other aversive behavioral intervention that compromises health and safety.
* A requirement for adequate training for school personnel imposing restraint and seclusion.
* A requirement for immediate parental notification and a school debriefing following each incident of restraint or seclusion.
* A requirement for states to create a state plan that incorporates the minimum standards and report annually on the number of incidents of restraint and seclusion. *Prohibit schools from including restraint or seclusion as planned interventions in student’s education plans, including Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Please click on the link below to sign the restraint and seclusion petition
http://www.change.org/autisticadvocacy/actions/view/protect_children_by_supporting_the_preventing_harmful_restraint_and_seclusion_in_schools_act
Posted by Phyllis M. on December 30th, 2009.
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