Euroopa Ombudsman

DYSPEL asbl.
Dyslexia and Special Needs in Luxembourg
Sous le Haut Patronage de Son Altesse Royale la Grande-Duchess
Dyspel asbl, 33 av Victor Hugo, L-1750 Luxembourg.
Tel: 26 47 85 05 Email : info@dyspel.org Webste: www.dyspel.org

Integration of Children with Learning Disabilities into the European Schools - Recommendations to the EU Ombudsman

1. Develop a whole school policy on physical and learning disabilities which makes the European Schools inclusive instead of elitist.

2. Encourage early assessment and diagnosis of any child who is not making the normal progress or who is causing concern.

3. Learning support should work along side SEN so that children can access which ever is most appropriate and move from one to the other as their needs change.

4. Provide more Learning Support help in Primary school so that all children with mild difficulties can be helped before they get worse.

5. Introduce Learning Support in Secondary School to continue the support started in primary and to pick up any newly diagnosed difficulties.

6. Allow more flexibility in subject choices so that children with language based disabilities can opt out of L3.

7. Introduce an alternative Bac with different options eg: where history and geography could be studied in L1.

8. Provide concessions for children with learning disabilities similar to those in their home country: extra time , use of IT etc. Have clear well published information on how to apply for these.

9. In-service training for all class and subject teachers on how to support, in their classes, dyslexic and pupils with other hidden learning difficulties, both in Primary and Secondary School.

10. Develop openness to informal ideas and strategies to support students with different learning styles and needs: handouts of lesson notes, study buddies, student tutors (through Merite Jeunesse or community service), study skills workshops, catch up clinics etc.

March 2004