School Admits Major Mistake In The Way A Disabled Grad Was Given Diploma - A New Jersey high school didn’t consider special needs when their class of 2018 graduated.
That has a graduate with a disability calling out her school for denying her the same graduation honor that other students received. Lili Portmann, a recent graduate of Holmdel High School, has spinal muscular atrophy and uses either a wheelchair or walking sticks to get around.
She has no problem with ramps but instead of being permitted to cross the stage and receive her diploma, as a video from the graduation ceremony shows, school officials handed the diploma to her at the base of the stage and then guided her away. Obviously a huge moment for her and her family was ruined.
"Asbury Park Press" says that District Superintendent Robert McGarry has apologized and called it a significant mistake, blaming the incident on poor event planning.Source: Asbury Park Press