Draft transport bill 'penalises' autistic children, UK

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 29 Oct 2004 - 16:00 PDT

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The Government's draft transport bill takes no consideration of the special transport needs of disabled pupils, a leading charity has warned.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) said plans to abolish free school transport could have a detrimental effect on children with autism.

It called for basic entitlements to transport on the grounds of disability or special educational needs to be clearly and explicitly written into the bill, which underwent its second reading in Parliament yesterday.

A recent NAS survey found that 58 per cent of those caring for a person with autism said transport was difficult for their charges and 11 per cent indicated that transport triggered behavioural difficulties.

"Many children with autism travel long distances to access appropriate education," said NAS policy and campaigns officer for children, Amanda Batten.

"It is important that these children are not penalised for the lack of provision locally by being charged according to the length of their journey. Disabled children should not incur financial penalties as a consequence of their disability."

Car-share proposals could also cause the children anxiety, the society warned, which in turn could damage their ability to learn when they arrive at school.

http://www.hda-online.org.uk

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