Finding the right school is one of the biggest decisions a family makes, and it matters even more when a child needs extra support. A brochure can only tell you so much. This checklist will help you see how a school really works, and what to ask before you decide.
Know your starting point
In India, the law gives children with disabilities the right to inclusive education. Section 16 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 says government-funded or recognised schools should admit children with disabilities without discrimination and provide education equally with others. CBSE’s guidelines on inclusive education also ask schools to make sure that no child with special needs is denied admission. Section 31 gives a child with a benchmark disability aged six to eighteen the right to free education in a neighbourhood school or a special school of their choice. See our guide to these rights. Knowing this helps you ask questions calmly and with confidence.
Before you visit
- Write down your child’s needs and strengths. What helps? What overwhelms them? What do they love?
- Collect your papers: assessments, therapy reports, any disability certificate and the current IEP, if there is one.
- Talk to other parents at the school, if you can. They will tell you what the brochure does not.
- Ask for a visit during a normal school day, not only a guided tour.
What to look for on the visit
- The atmosphere. Do children look relaxed? How do adults speak to them?
- Accessibility. Ramps, toilets, stairs, doorways and play areas. The Act expects buildings, campuses and facilities to be accessible.
- The classroom. Is it calm and organised? Are there visual schedules and clear routines? See our sensory-friendly classroom checklist.
- How children with additional needs take part. Are they in the main classroom, at break and in school events, or often separated?
- The people. Is there a special educator on staff? Do you meet the class teacher who would actually teach your child?
Questions to ask the school
- How many children with additional needs do you currently support, and what support do they get?
- Who writes the IEP, how are parents involved, and how often is it reviewed? See What Is an IEP?
- What training do teachers have in supporting children with additional needs?
- How big are the classes, and how many adults are in them?
- How does the school handle behaviour that is a response to stress or sensory overload?
- Can therapists work with my child at school, and how do they share information with teachers?
- What exam concessions does the school help families apply for? See exam concessions.
- Are there any extra charges for support, and what exactly do they cover?
- How will you keep me informed, and who do I contact if I am worried?
Good signs and warning signs
Good signs: staff who ask about your child before they talk about the school; clear routines; examples of how they have adapted for other children; a willingness to try a trial period and review it; open answers when you ask a hard question.
Warning signs: a promise that “everything will be fine” without detail; discouraging you from applying; reluctance to let you see classrooms; no plan for how your child will take part with other children; pressure to decide on the spot.
After the visit
Write down your impressions the same day, while you remember them. Compare schools against your list, not against each other’s brochures. If a school refuses admission because of a disability, see the steps in our rights guide, including how to approach the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.
See also: Starting school or changing schools: a transition checklist.
Sources
- Government of India, The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, Sections 16 and 31.
- Central Board of Secondary Education, Circular 65/2009: Guidelines on Inclusive Education of Children with Disabilities.
This guide is general information, not legal, medical or professional advice. If something here does not match your situation, please speak to a qualified professional.