Martin is fifteen years old and has a mild intellectual disability and epilepsy; he lives at home with his widowed mother and twin sister. Martin attends the local high school with his sister and is very physically active; he has great coordination skills and loves being involved in any sporting activity. Martin’s class is going on an adventure camp that will involve activities such as canoeing, swimming in rivers and riding flying foxes. Martin’s mother is very concerned about his safety on this camp and does not want him to attend although she is happy for his sister to go.
Martin’s teacher thinks it is important for Martin to go not just for the participation but also the opportunity to demonstrate how competent he is in these areas to his peers. Martins teacher has worked closely with his integration teacher and the Epilepsy Foundation to ensure all precautions are taken in a way that still provides the opportunity to participate as fully as possible. The teacher has made an appointment to discuss his plans with Martins mother and has assured her that one staff member will be watching Martin at all times. He has also explained that although someone will be supervising they will not be constantly with him but at an easy reach if Martin were to have a seizure.
Martins mother feels more comfortable about him attending but would like the opportunity to talk to a staff member each day, and be notified if he has any seizures or an accidents of any kind.
This is an example of how careful planning can ensure that people with a disability have the same opportunity to experience the things their peers do without being placed at unnecessary danger. All activities have the potential to be dangerous, it is our responsibility to ensure that potential is not unreasonable.