Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools in Virginia [8 VAC 20 ‑ 750]
Action Promulgating new regulation governing seclusion & restraint in public elementary & secondary schools
Stage Proposed
Comment Period Ended on 4/19/2019
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4/19/19  8:51 pm
Commenter: Patti McVay. Down Syndrome Unites - Championing All Disabilities

CEO/Partner. University of Colorado. Former Principal and Special Education Director, OR, CA & CO
 

In over 40 years in Education, working across th multiple states across the US, I have witnessed what most people believe no longer exists - horrific emotional, physical and the effects of sexual abuse, restraint, exclusion, unlawful imprisonments- all that defy any kind of explanation or understanding.  I also worked with the Oregon Department of Education and other agencies to protect children with disabilities who were institutionalized in Fairview, Salem, Oregon. I also assisted in closing it after seeing unfathomable atrocities. There is no reason ever for treating children in such a way.  I remain convinced from research and experience that the inhumane treatments of children can never be viewed as instructional as going to the bathroom  or educational but instead it must be seen for what it is - punishment, aggregious behavior that must be stopped in every circumstance. Jason was raised in the Fairview Institution and when it closed he attended at my school in my segregated classroom. His greatest joy was milk and his worst nightmare was going to the bathroom with a male aide. He was “considered “ aggressive because he grabbed and pinched and bit.  With pictures he began to request milk and other food.  With pictures he requested who would take him to the restroom.  He didn’t have a behavior problem, he wasn’t aggressive, he was trying to communicate his hunger, his fear, his abuse but what he got was restraint, unlawful imprisonment and more abuse.  Education changed his life, nothing before had. No restraint, imprisonment or other form of abuse is acceptable. It must not be limited, it must be eliminated!!

CommentID: 71745