[Mike & Jean]

The following letter was written by Medicare for Autism Now director, David Marley in response to "Regular kids need help" printed on April 15th in the Province newspaper. I hope the Province is being bombarded with similar messages.

Three “brave” elementary school teachers afraid of a six year old child? What’s next, four armed Mounties afraid of a guy with a stapler?

Your letter writer is correct in one regard: A child who is in a class with a special needs child is not getting the same quality of education as one who does not share a classroom with such a child. They’re getting an incomparably better education. They’re learning about how tough it can be for others to make their way through life.

I’m not a parent of a child , “regular” or special needs, so I have no axe to grind here. However, I do care about the sort of society in which we live. I never want to see a return to the exclusionary policies that kept the horror of a Woodlands in operation for so many decades. As for keeping a calm atmosphere in the classroom, school districts need to abide by the 2006 BC Supreme Court ruling in the Hewko case in which the judge ordered that teachers and special education aides be able to demonstrate “instructional control” of special needs children. Physician, heal thyself.

David O. Marley

[Mike & Jean]

Following is an excellent analysis by Civil Rights Now! of the latest travesty occurring in the Langley school district. Included, is some interesting testimony and findings from the Hewko trial. http://www.civilrightsnow.ca

None of the three news reports about a six-year old Langley child with autism “ousted” from Topham Elementary in the Langley School District in BC (see the stories here here & here ) mention the most important thing about this story: the Langley School district appears to be denying six-year oldHunter Patterson equal benefit and protection from the law in violation of the legal precedent set by Madame Justice Koenigsberg in the 2006 BC Hewko decision (which was not appealed) See the Hewko decision here

Here are some relevant excerpts from the Hewko decision:

“Ms. Kennedy [a representative of the BC Ministry of Education] was asked [under oath] whether any effort was undertaken by the Ministry of Education in response to these concerns [see below]. She responded:

A: We have taken one first step towards bringing, aligning the definitions and the assessment practices of all the ministries for spectrum disorder together; that is the first step in trying to integrate to meet the kids’ needs. Starting July 1st there will be new guidelines for autism spectrum. So it’s a baby step, we hope, something that will be a big improvement in the future.

Q: And, in the meantime, for the Darren Hewkos [see above] of British Columbia, what has been done?

A: Nothing.” (p84 My bold.)

Madame Justice Koenigsberg found “Ms Kennedy to be an excellent witness. She was knowledgeable, straightforward and candid, particularly in the Ministry’s [of Education] attempts to be responsive to the needs of autistic children.” (p83. My bold.)

The concerns referred to in this section are “education issues identified by parents involved in the Auton/Anderson litigation thought to be of greatest concern, including

*lack of expertise of trained aides and teachers in the area of autism;

*lack of commitment to integrated and coordinated approach between school and home environments and

*lack of consistency between behaviourial interventions programs beg implemented in the school and in the home.” (p84. My bold.)

“The District, through all personnel, apparently decided they needed to resist any inclusion of the home-based program and therapist for reasons relating to a fear of potential litigation by the Hewkos.In my view, such an approach by the District was an abdication of its responsibility to provide Darren Hewko reasonable access to an education.” (p.111 My bold.)

“I find that Abbotsford School District breached its statutory duty to meaningfully consult with the Hewkos about Darren Hewko’s education placement and program.” (p. 114)

What the 2006 Hewko decision precedent means is every British Columbian School District is legally obligated to provide children with autism in consultation with their families qualifed assistants. We repeat: every School District in British Columbia is legally obligate to provide every child within their schools with qualified assistants.
Civil Rights Now! has been reliably informed that some, repeat some, BC School Boards have told parents with autistic children that the Hewko decision applies only to the Abbotsford School Board. It is a very low probablity that university-trained teachers and school district administrators do not know basic legal principles (a precedent applies through-out the whole province), therefore it is more likely the relevant teachers and school district administrators are lying.
Such lies denies British Columbian children with disabilities and there families equal benefit and protection from what Madame Justice Koenigsberg decided is the law in the best place on Earth.

When will the BC government force every School District in our province to comply to the Hewko decision?

Here’s the answer:

“Q: And, in the meantime, for the Darren Hewkos of British Columbia, what has been done?

A: Nothing.” (Hewko p84 My bold.)

[Mike & Jean]

Hello everyone,

Today, we launched our new and improved website – http://www.medicareforautismnow.org

One of the reasons we've done this now is to help and encourage parents and supporters to participate in the current federal election.

We agree with Get Your Vote On when they say, "The world is run by those who show up…"

To further the cause of Medicare coverage for science-based autism treatment (ABA/IBI) we suggest you:

1. Go to http://www.medicareforautsimnow.org click on Support Us and sign the on-line petition.

2. Click on Election 2011, find your candidates, ask them the question, and most importantly post their responses on the
our message board.

Please forward this email and website information along to others and, if you have one, "like it and share it" on your Facebook page.

Election day is three weeks from today – May 2nd. The time to take action is right now!

If you have any questions about canvassing candidates, please contact us at mfanow@gmail.com

[Mike & Jean]

Hello everyone,

Today, we launched our new and improved website – http://www.medicareforautismnow.org

One of the reasons we've done this now is to help and encourage parents and supporters to participate in the current federal election.

We agree with Get Your Vote On when they say, "The world is run by those who show up…"

To further the cause of Medicare coverage for science-based autism treatment (ABA/IBI) we suggest you:

1. Go to http://www.medicareforautsimnow.org click on Support Us and sign the on-line petition.

2. Click on Election 2011, find your candidates, ask them the question, and most importantly post their responses on the
our message board.

Please forward this email and website information along to others and, if you have one, "like it and share it" on your Facebook page.

Election day is three weeks from today – May 2nd. The time to take action is right now!

If you have any questions about canvassing candidates, please contact us at mfanow@gmail.com

[Mike & Jean]

Hello everyone,

Today, we launched our new and improved website – http://www.medicareforautismnow.org

One of the reasons we've done this now is to help and encourage parents and supporters to participate in the current federal election.

We agree with Get Your Vote On when they say, "The world is run by those who show up…"

To further the cause of Medicare coverage for science-based autism treatment (ABA/IBI) we suggest you:

1. Go to http://www.medicareforautsimnow.org click on Support Us and sign the on-line petition.

2. Click on Election 2011, find your candidates, ask them the question, and most importantly post their responses on the
our message board.

Please forward this email and website information along to others and, if you have one, "like it and share it" on your Facebook page.

Election day is three weeks from today – May 2nd. The time to take action is right now!

If you have any questions about canvassing candidates, please contact us at mfanow@gmail.com

[Mike & Jean]

Hello everyone,

Today, we launched our new and improved website – http://www.medicareforautismnow.org

One of the reasons we've done this now is to help and encourage parents and supporters to participate in the current federal election.

We agree with Get Your Vote On when they say, "The world is run by those who show up…"

To further the cause of Medicare coverage for science-based autism treatment (ABA/IBI) we suggest you:

1. Go to http://www.medicareforautsimnow.org click on Support Us and sign the on-line petition.

2. Click on Election 2011, find your candidates, ask them the question, and most importantly post their responses on the
our message board.

Please forward this email and website information along to others and, if you have one, "like it and share it" on your Facebook page.

Election day is three weeks from today – May 2nd. The time to take action is right now!

If you have any questions about canvassing candidates, please contact us at mfanow@gmail.com

[Mike & Jean]

Hello all FEATsters….

Tune into the Bill Good Show tomorrow, Monday, April 11th at 11:30 am to hear former FEAT director Jean Lewis and Medicare for Autism Now! director David Marley discuss their upcoming advocacy workshop – "Getting it Done!" scheduled for April 30th.

Topics to be discussed:
The "Getting it Done" advocacy workshop – why it's needed now – particularly the school segment, with the BCTF "focusing" on our kids in their upcoming contract negotiatons.

We will also discuss our upcoming documentary film, working titled:
"Medicare's Orphans – Canadians unworthy of treatment" Together with other topics, the film will chronicle the history of the autism treatment movement in BC and other parts of Canada.

And – What Medicare for Autism Now! is doing during this federal election, why you should participate, and how you can get involved in the campaign to get Medicare coverage for ABA.

It should be an interesting program. Tune into CKNW 980AM at 11:30 to join the discussion. The program can also be heard at a later time by going to their audio vault.

Please share this notice with your Facebook friends.

[Mike & Jean]

Hello all FEATsters….

Tune into the Bill Good Show tomorrow, Monday, April 11th at 11:30 am to hear former FEAT director Jean Lewis and Medicare for Autism Now! director David Marley discuss their upcoming advocacy workshop – "Getting it Done!" scheduled for April 30th.

Topics to be discussed:
The "Getting it Done" advocacy workshop – why it's needed now – particularly the school segment, with the BCTF "focusing" on our kids in their upcoming contract negotiatons.

We will also discuss our upcoming documentary film, working titled:
"Medicare's Orphans – Canadians unworthy of treatment" Together with other topics, the film will chronicle the history of the autism treatment movement in BC and other parts of Canada.

And – What Medicare for Autism Now! is doing during this federal election, why you should participate, and how you can get involved in the campaign to get Medicare coverage for ABA.

It should be an interesting program. Tune into CKNW 980AM at 11:30 to join the discussion. The program can also be heard at a later time by going to their audio vault.

Please share this notice with your Facebook friends.

[Mike & Jean]

Hello all FEATsters….

Tune into the Bill Good Show tomorrow, Monday, April 11th at 11:30 am to hear former FEAT director Jean Lewis and Medicare for Autism Now! director David Marley discuss their upcoming advocacy workshop – "Getting it Done!" scheduled for April 30th.

Topics to be discussed:
The "Getting it Done" advocacy workshop – why it's needed now – particularly the school segment, with the BCTF "focusing" on our kids in their upcoming contract negotiatons.

We will also discuss our upcoming documentary film, working titled:
"Medicare's Orphans – Canadians unworthy of treatment" Together with other topics, the film will chronicle the history of the autism treatment movement in BC and other parts of Canada.

And – What Medicare for Autism Now! is doing during this federal election, why you should participate, and how you can get involved in the campaign to get Medicare coverage for ABA.

It should be an interesting program. Tune into CKNW 980AM at 11:30 to join the discussion. The program can also be heard at a later time by going to their audio vault.

Please share this notice with your Facebook friends.

[Mike & Jean]

Hello all FEATsters….

Tune into the Bill Good Show tomorrow, Monday, April 11th at 11:30 am to hear former FEAT director Jean Lewis and Medicare for Autism Now! director David Marley discuss their upcoming advocacy workshop – "Getting it Done!" scheduled for April 30th.

Topics to be discussed:
The "Getting it Done" advocacy workshop – why it's needed now – particularly the school segment, with the BCTF "focusing" on our kids in their upcoming contract negotiatons.

We will also discuss our upcoming documentary film, working titled:
"Medicare's Orphans – Canadians unworthy of treatment" Together with other topics, the film will chronicle the history of the autism treatment movement in BC and other parts of Canada.

And – What Medicare for Autism Now! is doing during this federal election, why you should participate, and how you can get involved in the campaign to get Medicare coverage for ABA.

It should be an interesting program. Tune into CKNW 980AM at 11:30 to join the discussion. The program can also be heard at a later time by going to their audio vault.

Please share this notice with your Facebook friends.

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