As part of the Multi-Schools Council, they hope schoolchildren with disabilities can be understood better but not “defined by them”.
Rose Woodward, 13, who attends an Essex secondary school, is a talented writer and performer and soon will play two parts in an ADHD play.
She said: “My biggest achievement is probably fighting through mental health and still fighting to this day.
“And this includes being able to manage through school and day to day life with tasks as well as making my voice heard in many different ways.”
Research shows young people with special educational needs can be more susceptible to challenges within their mental health because they feel misunderstood, not accepted and realise opportunities in life and moving around are not always accessible.
Rose, who is writing a book on the Multi-Skills Council, added: “We can make communities more inclusive by making it easier to get around or just generally making sure that people understand that it might be hard to travel.”
Kierran Pearce is a special educational needs teacher who set up the Multi-Schools Council in 2012 to help breakdown negative perceptions of children with SEND and metal health difficulties.
He questions how often we speak about those who visually impaired or blind and what efforts we make to understand their lives.
“Being able to access our communities can be so important. Just reflect on the pandemic, how hard was that for some of us being completely separated from the rest of society? However, consider how some young people (and adults) may have to deal with this challenge on a day-to-day basis,” he said.
If you come across a blind or visually impaired person ambassadors encourage people to ask questions and be inquisitive.