Children with Disabilities

10. Lack of Participation and Choice

Lack of participation and choice in decision-making can disempower disabled children and make them more vulnerable to harm as can a failure to consult with and listen to disabled children about their experiences. Disabled children may have learnt from their care or wider experience to be compliant and not to complain. Morris found that disabled children’s privacy was often not respected nor was there any encouragement to make choices for themselves, which in turn undermined their opportunities to develop confidence and self-esteem. (Gov.uk, July 2009)