 |
Child Care Barriers
to Full Workforce Participation
Experienced by Parents of Children with Special Needs
-
and Potential Remedies
Sharon Hope Irwin and Donna S. Lero
148 pages, Quality Paperback. $25.00 |
SUMMARY: Parenting
a Child with Special Needs and Staying in the Paid Labour Force
Read the Recommendations
Chapter based on the research findings and parents' suggestions
In this unique study, the Canadian Union of
Postal Workers explores barriers experienced by parents of children
with special needs. It shows the extraordinary struggle these
parents face in juggling work, family and child care. Of value
to unions, policy makers and researchers - its conclusions have
a powerful message for CUPW members and other workers facing
similar challenges.
I haven't been able to work since we
left [town].... If we hadn't had D. I'm sure I would have
pursued my career.... It's really a shame that I've wasted
all my education and never worked for very long as I planned
to do.... It's like having a baby who gets bigger, but he
never grows up.... Sometimes it feels like I'm spending my
whole life in this house looking after him.
I told my husband, 'But I can't tell
my boss my child's sick.' The worst thing I could possibly
do is to acknowledge that my children have an impact on my
life. Isn't it ironic: I'm on the verge of quitting the company
but I can't even tell my boss I don't want to go on this trip
because my child is sick?
I work part-time, so theoretically I
have 2 days per week 'off'. However, those days are spent
on doctor and therapy appointments, phone calls related to
my daughter, coordinating services, etc. I would consider
full-time work (which we really need the income from) it I
had access to appropriate daycare and I could find the time
to do what I usually do on my days off (which is virtually
impossible).
CUPW Special
Needs Project Index
Published by BretonBooks
Wreck Cove, Nova Scotia,
Canada, B0C 1H0
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