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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

If it's the Special Needs session at the local splash park and you're not a SN family, would you stay or go?

484 replies

Waitrosejunkie1 · 20/07/2016 17:58

What would you do?

OP posts:
AndNowItsSeven · 20/07/2016 18:17

It's not inclusive according to the sense so of course it's wrong to stay , no question.

ISuggestYouGoBackThere · 20/07/2016 18:17

Go.

The services available are limited whereas NT have the pleasure of being able to go whenever.

However, I do think that inclusion is the better policy. Unfortunately there are many who are unwittingly disablist which means enforcement is necessary for equality and this incurs costs.

Waitrosejunkie1 · 20/07/2016 18:21

Thankyou. i would have thought it was obvious to leave too.

OP posts:
RichardBucket · 20/07/2016 18:23

I'd leave, definitely. The only exception would be if I was the only one there, in which case there are clearly no SN families wanting to use the park.

felicityking · 20/07/2016 18:25

It depends, if i had just arrived with my dc without prior notice it was a sn session i would stay as not to disappoint them but if i knew beforehand i would go another time. I am sure they would not be able to exclude nt kids anyway?

Waitrosejunkie1 · 20/07/2016 18:26

But felicityking your kids could go anytime

OP posts:
StiickEmUp · 20/07/2016 18:27

Definitely leave. It's very clear is a non NT session.

Lostwithinthehills · 20/07/2016 18:27

I'd leave, no quibbling. I'd guess that 'SN families' sometimes have a hard time finding activities that are open or accessible to them and I wouldn't want to get in their way. I'd also guess that it would be nice for them to be able to enjoy themselves safe in the knowledge that no one is staring at them or judging them. I realise my thoughts may sound a little patronising but it's my instant reaction to the opening question.

PandasRock · 20/07/2016 18:28

Hmm, if it is too busy for families with SN to use (what's too busy? Packed out, or too busy for your circumstances? - the answer makes no difference as to whether you should be able to use the facilities, but might be the difference between the NT families realising they should go or not) then yes, of course some of the NT families should have left.

My previous answers presuppose a large amount of reasonableness, which sadly often seems absent (although it doesn't stop me ever-hoping!)

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 20/07/2016 18:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pinkdelight · 20/07/2016 18:30

Go, obviously. Where's the ambiguity??

KondosSecretJunkRoom · 20/07/2016 18:31

How do you know that the majority who were there were not special needs families?

Doggity · 20/07/2016 18:32

Of course I would leave especially on a hot and sunny day where it was likely to attract more families who need these facilities.

MsWorthington · 20/07/2016 18:32

I'd go.

I'm thinking the OP had gone along to the SN session and found the place packed with non SN families and is canvassing opinion on here before making a complaint (as well she should).

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 20/07/2016 18:32

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 20/07/2016 18:33

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Waitrosejunkie1 · 20/07/2016 18:33

Spot on MsWorthington.

OP posts:
RichardBucket · 20/07/2016 18:34

It depends, if i had just arrived with my dc without prior notice it was a sn session i would stay as not to disappoint them but if i knew beforehand i would go another time. I am sure they would not be able to exclude nt kids anyway?

And it wouldn't bother you that this might exclude and disappointed SN children who only have two hours a week to use the park according to their needs?

MrsHathaway · 20/07/2016 18:34

Not great wording on the sign but the "over 65s" analogy upthread is spot on.

If we arrived at 4.30 I'd be pretty pissed off, but at myself for not checking, or with the venue for not advertising the session more obviously, and not at all at the families who need to make use of a protected session.

Griphook · 20/07/2016 18:34

For goodness sake of course they/you should leave. It's once month that a service is available to children with Sen, it's not hard for you to access the other 30 days a month but it might be for those with additional needs.

Waitrosejunkie1 · 20/07/2016 18:35

Two hours a month RichardBucket.Sad

OP posts:
londonrach · 20/07/2016 18:36

Leave. Its a session for a reason.

Brightnorthernlights · 20/07/2016 18:37

As its only once a month I would definitely leave/chosen to have not gone in the first place, especially as you say it is well publicised.

However, if I was a service user, I should imagine it would be v difficult to assess who is legitimately using the service and who is not.

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 20/07/2016 18:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PinkissimoAndPearls · 20/07/2016 18:37

Well it's the same as using BB spaces, or "disabled toilets" isn't it, some selfish fuckers still use these facilities even though they don't need to, they just want to. Despite justifying it with they were only a minute, or there was no one else there, or not wanting to disappoint their DC. If there is a facility for people with SN, and you don't have SN, don't use the facility - it's pretty simple really.

Some people are just selfish though and think only of themselves.

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