Miss-Delectable
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Deaf Greenvale girl's plight - Leader News: Melbourne community news
A DEAF Greenvale girl has been kept home from school for a month because the State Government refuses to pay her bus fare.
Jindesa Cardamone, 10, is enrolled at St Albans East Primary School, about 17km from her home, but can't get there on her own.
The Education Department insists that Willmott Park Primary in Craigieburn can cater for her needs, but Jindesa's parents, Tony and Janeve Cardamone, disagree.
"Jindesa had cochlear implants last year and we wanted to move her to a school where speech, not just signing, was promoted," Mr Cardamone said.
"The Department of Education are saying there are schools closer which suit Jindesa's needs, but we have had meetings with these schools and they have said they are unable to provide for her needs."
Willmott Park Primary School principal Evan Hughes declined to comment.
Mr Cardamone wants Jindesa's case reassessed, but letters to the Education Department and MPs had made no difference.
"Jindesa was attending Furlong Park School for Deaf Children (in Sunshine North) last year and we were able to get help from the Education Department to pay for transport," Mr Cardamone said.
"We thought it was best opting for St Albans East Primary School as they have a deaf facility."
Mr Cardamone works full-time and his wife is returning to work.
This gave the couple no option but to keep their daughter at home.
Department of Education spokeswoman Anna Malbon said the department had worked with the family to provide the best and closest options for Jindesa.
"The deaf facility at Willmott Park Primary School can provide oral and signing programs for deaf and hearing-impaired students," Ms Malbon said.
"It is also the closest deaf facility to where Jindesa lives that offers signing and can cater for her needs."
The department provided a range of transport assistance to students attending the closest deaf facility that met the child's educational needs, she said.
A DEAF Greenvale girl has been kept home from school for a month because the State Government refuses to pay her bus fare.
Jindesa Cardamone, 10, is enrolled at St Albans East Primary School, about 17km from her home, but can't get there on her own.
The Education Department insists that Willmott Park Primary in Craigieburn can cater for her needs, but Jindesa's parents, Tony and Janeve Cardamone, disagree.
"Jindesa had cochlear implants last year and we wanted to move her to a school where speech, not just signing, was promoted," Mr Cardamone said.
"The Department of Education are saying there are schools closer which suit Jindesa's needs, but we have had meetings with these schools and they have said they are unable to provide for her needs."
Willmott Park Primary School principal Evan Hughes declined to comment.
Mr Cardamone wants Jindesa's case reassessed, but letters to the Education Department and MPs had made no difference.
"Jindesa was attending Furlong Park School for Deaf Children (in Sunshine North) last year and we were able to get help from the Education Department to pay for transport," Mr Cardamone said.
"We thought it was best opting for St Albans East Primary School as they have a deaf facility."
Mr Cardamone works full-time and his wife is returning to work.
This gave the couple no option but to keep their daughter at home.
Department of Education spokeswoman Anna Malbon said the department had worked with the family to provide the best and closest options for Jindesa.
"The deaf facility at Willmott Park Primary School can provide oral and signing programs for deaf and hearing-impaired students," Ms Malbon said.
"It is also the closest deaf facility to where Jindesa lives that offers signing and can cater for her needs."
The department provided a range of transport assistance to students attending the closest deaf facility that met the child's educational needs, she said.