WATCH (above): Families of kids with special needs are particularly hard-hit by the teachers’ strike. Kids over 12 don’t qualify for the 40-dollar a day grant from the government. As Tanya Beja reports, because of their disabilities – they can’t stay home alone which leaves families struggling for help.
Maya Kaler is supposed to be starting high school this year but instead she’s doing puzzles at home with her mom. Kaler has autism, is non-verbal and can’t be left alone.
And due to Kaler being over 12-years-old, she misses the cutoff to qualify for the $40 a day grant given to parents by the Ministry of Education for childcare or learning opportunities during the teachers’ strike.
The strike, which has been going on for three months, is having a big impact on the Kaler family’s lives.
“She will mouth and eat anything. So I live my life in five to 10 minute increments, that means that every five to 10 minutes, it’s check on Maya.”
While Kaler does not qualify for the grant due to her age, her younger brother and sister, who don’t have special needs, do.
“You know I have three kids and everybody needs something,” Nicole told Global News. “She’s the one that’s getting the least, she’s getting the less. That $40 would say to me that the government does understand her needs and more importantly, care about her needs.”
While some families do qualify for help from the Ministry of Children and Family Development, it’s only on a case-by-case basis.
Nancy Walton, an advocate for autism support and board of director with ABA Support Network, says she knows many who do not qualify and the impact of the lack of funding could be devastating for families.
“I am really worried, I think what’s going to happen is the Ministry of Children and Family Development are going to start hearing from families that are not able to cope,” Walton said. “Other people will burnout other people may leave their work. There are lots of different things that can start happening.”
Currently the Kalers have rearranged their schedule to allow Nicole to be able to stay at home but she says the $40 a day would pay for extra help and materials for Maya.
“So I would like to see the government recognize that even though she has a disability, she can still learn, she can still be educated, and therefore those education dollars should go to her,” Nicole said.
For now Nicole says she’s counting on support from family and friends to get through the strike but doesn’t know how long she can keep that up.
~ with files from Tanya Beja
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