Free State High School in Lawrence, Kan., recently announced the end of a long-standing practice of excluding students with disabilities from a school function. The change came after students organized a petition drive, collecting over 800 signatures calling for equal treatment.
The specific incident that prompted this effort was the elimination of up to 10 students with disabilities from the ballot for the homecoming court. Nancy Holmes, whose son Owen Phariss was among those disqualified, said “It’s very disturbing. In this day and age, it’s very disturbing”. (Lawrence Journal-World, Sept. 7) This procedure had been routine at Free State for years.
In addition to being denied adequate medical care, disabled people often face discrimination. Although the students who led the petitioning campaign faced little institutional opposition, they proved the effectiveness of organizing. This lesson can be applied to the movements against imperialist war, racism, unemployment and any other issue that affects the working class.
