“Humiliation” is a crime
Oy.
A deaf teenager has won a landmark discrimination case after she was humiliated on sports day because she could not hear announcements telling her to stop running, it has emerged.
Laura Trudgill, 13, is profoundly deaf but was not provided with an individual signer on sports day to help her understand the complicated rules of 24 team activities.
She stood when the rest of the school sat, ran when others stopped and did activities incorrectly because she could not hear the teacher telling her she was wrong.
The event was designed to forge bonds between deaf and hearing pupils but led to deep embarrassment for Laura who became an object of fun.
So the school, which went out of its way to hold an even bringing deaf and hearing students together, has been found at fault here for “humiliating” this girl.
A special education needs and disability tribunal (Sendist) found Colman Middle School, in Norwich, had unlawfully discriminated against Laura.
Laura’s mother Karen Park, 35, and dad Gary Trudgill, 50, of Norwich, fought the case with the backing of the National Deaf Children’s Society (NCDS).
Karen, a part-time volunteer for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, said: ‘Laura might as well have been lumped in with a load of Russians on sports day.
‘The effect would’ve been the same - she wouldn’t have had any idea what was going on.
No word from the Russians as to whether they will sue for discrimination at that remark.
So lemme get this straight: The school holds an inclusiveness exercise, and then is found guilty of “unlawful discrimination” - a crime, if you will. All because some deaf chick had a bad day. Puh-lease, if I sued everyone involved every time I had a bad day, I’d be Warren freakin’ Kinsella!
Used to be a time when other countries made fun of the USA for its litigiousness. Those days are soooo gone. The United States now seems to be the only country where you can’t sue for hurt feelings.
special education needs and disability tribunal
And we think we have it bad with human rights tribunals. They’re right though, she would have been right at home with a bunch of Russians - circa 1960.
Comment by Brian Gardiner — January 7, 2009 @ 1:40 pm
Was she the *only* deaf person at this event? Not very “inclusive” if the was the token deaf person. If she wasn’t the only deaf person, what were all the other deaf participants doing?
Comment by Mickey Blue Eyes — January 7, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
As a deaf person myself, I find that story funny. Yea, some deaf (as well as liberals, etc..) whine all they want to get things they want. Pathetic losers. Commonsense, she should had things prepared in advance (e.g. why didnt she request for an interpreter or a note of description of these activities? Or even better request to be dismissed from that event without any penalty?) It seems the school failed to address the issue with her beforehand with many possible outcomes.
Comment by Jeff — January 7, 2009 @ 1:53 pm
Maybe I am reading this wrong, but it seems stupid to hold an event meant to bring deaf & hearing students together - and not provide interpreters.
I don’t think it rises to the level of a crime, but it is certainly idiotic and needs to be addressed. In the form of, “Hey, I appreciate the thought and all, but next time lets try to think of such obvious pitfalls as not being able to follow along or converse” No lawsuit, no charges - just common sense.
Comment by Vox — January 7, 2009 @ 2:49 pm
The next complaints will be that no one is holding inclusive sessions for the deaf and/or the blind just to make sure they do not get sued. Where were the parents, why did they not check this out before hand and have some input? Oh that would have meant taking parental responsibilty a phrase that is an oxymoron in this day.
Comment by Pissedoff — January 9, 2009 @ 8:57 am