A preschool graduation in Belize City has raised accusations of discrimination after three children with autism were allegedly sidelined from their graduating class during Friday’s ceremony at the ACC Church.
According to relatives, the three autistic graduates were placed behind the main seating area at the Anglican Diocesan Preschool graduation, out of sight of parents seated at both the front and back of the venue.
The aunt of one of the graduates said the arrangement immediately raised concerns. “Immediately, I’m upset, because weh you di try do, weh you di try say, what da di message you di send to the parents who work hard fi send their pickney to school? Yes, I get, da just preschool, but for some it’s huge,” she said.
She added that when it came time for the graduation march, other parents standing in the aisle completely blocked the children from view. “By the time ney parents stand up fi tek picture of ney pickney, you could not see that a graduate would’ve sit there because the chair deh way da the end,” she said.
The aunt also questioned whether schools are doing enough to support children on the autism spectrum.
“I feel like we, as a society, we were moving toward better because we literally have a rampage of autistic kids and babies, but unoh noh di move towards better, or get the proper training unoh need.”
The family also alleges the school has consistently ignored accessibility requests for their child.
News 5 reached out to Anglican Diocesan Preschool for comment.
