Triple A Alliance calls for a formal apology from Minister Madigan
WICKLOW Triple A Alliance has started a petition on Change.org for an apology from Minister of State for Special Education & Inclusion Josepha Madigan.
Minister Madigan made an apology on Twitter last week for describing children without additional needs as ‘normal’.
However, the petition by Wicklow Triple A Alliance is demanding a formal apology in the Dáil.
‘We, parents of children with additional needs, self-advocates and allies are disillusioned, disappointed and above all hurt that our Minister for Special Education and Inclusion has referred to our community as “abnormal” in her statement in our Dail on January 14,’ wrote the organisation in a statement.
‘In this statement regarding the reopening of special education schooling Minister Madigan stated that she can only imagine how difficult lock-down has been for “normal” children, therefore how much worse it can be for those with additional needs.
‘ Thus inferring that anyone who does not come under Minister Madigan’s perception of “normal” must in fact, be “abnormal”.
‘ The Minister has tweeted that it was a slip of the tongue. However, we assert that appropriate language is vital regarding the reduction of stigma and the progression of disability equality,’ they wrote.
‘We are asking our Minister of Special Education and Inclusion to do better for the
people whom she is paid to represent.’
They said that they require at a minimum a formal apology in Dáil Éireann, as well as a commitment that she will ensure such a statement does not happen again.
‘We would like a commitment from Minister Madigan that she will engage in a Diversity & Inclusion programme to inform her of the unconscious bias which she may be harbouring,’ wrote Wicklow Triple A Alliance.
Josepha Madigan was answering questions relating to the phased reopening of schools next week for children with special needs when the comment was made.
‘I sincerely apologise for my language. I misspoke and it was absolutely not what I meant to say,’ tweeted the minister. ‘I am committed to supporting young people with special educational needs and their families at this time.’
Over 100 people have signed the online petition.