SCHOOLS are being offered free training to help cut hate crime against children with disabilities.

Enable Me, which is dedicated to raising disability awareness, is offering support and advice to schools in Brighton and Hove and others within a 40-mile radius of its Littlehampton office.

According to a report released in October, hate crimes against disabled children in the UK have risen by almost 150 per cent in two years.

A total of 450 incidents were reported last year compared to 181 in 2014/15.

Given the budgetary restraints schools are now facing, Enable Me believes it is likely disability awareness training in schools will be greatly reduced.

It says this means children will have fewer opportunities to develop their understanding and empathy for others with disabilities.

Enable Me executive chairman Chris Jay said: “This news is shocking.

“It is appalling to think so many children and families are the victims of hate crimes in our country.

“We are therefore offering state schools in our region the opportunity of promoting inclusion and empathy by providing their children and young people with awareness training.

“Our workshops will help us to reach more children.

“This will allow more schools to explore and challenge perceptions of disability at a young age.”

This training will be delivered by Enable Me’s volunteers and staff.

These are all people who have either physical or hidden disabilities.

Any school staff member interested in the free training, or whose child goes to a school that would benefit from Enable Me’s free enrichment days is urged to get in contact.

For more details call 01903 734400.

Alternatively you can email vicki@enablemeproject.org.uk

Enable Me was set up in 2005 and specialises in providing disability awareness days in schools for children of all ages to learn about the needs, challenges and life experiences of disabled people.

It also offers specialised disability awareness training for sports coaches, teaching professionals and businesses.

It explores language, legislation, communication and how to make the work environment more inclusive.

People with disabilities across the UK are experiencing great upheaval, stress, anxiety and fear as a result of a number of social and economic factors.

This includes a sharp rise in hate crime and the economic impact of austerity. Children with special needs in England are twice as as likely as their peers to experience “persistent bullying” according to research carried out by London University’s Institute of Education.