Disability and inclusion

Barnardo's believes that every child, whatever their needs, has the right to participate fully in their community and to have the same choices, opportunities and experiences as other children; to make local friends, and to access, play, leisure and recreational facilities. Yet many services are not set up in a way that enables them to adapt to disabled children's needs.

Barnardo’s believes a childhood dominated by institutional care can leave young disabled people ill-prepared for an independent life in the community. Often there is little option but to move into adult forms of residential provision. Even where disabled children are able to stay with their families, their social lives are likely to be more limited, and they are more dependent on their parents for leisure activities than non-disabled children and the family can face a life living in poverty.

Families with disabled children are often poorer; they are often forced to live in unsuitable housing; they cannot get out and about; and they cannot access childcare that would enable them to go to work and break out of poverty. They cannot afford or access the activities and holidays that millions of other families take for granted.

As one mother said “We are a disabled family. We don’t just have a disabled child – it impacts on every single aspect of our lives.”

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