A child with a rare bone disease who had to wear a nappy because her school did not have the appropriate toilet facilities to accommodate her, has settled a legal action.
Violet Heasley was aged just four and a pupil at Dunmurry Primary School near Belfast where the issue arose.
The little girl lives with a condition called osteogenesis imperfecta - known as brittle bone disease - and was the only wheelchair user at the school, which did not have a disabled toilet at the time.
The problem began during her nursery education and continued into her first full year of school.
"The situation became so distressing for Violet that in the end we took her out of the school altogether," said her mother Shelbie Heasley.
"It was just awful, where was her dignity? It took months to find another school that could accommodate her needs," she said.
"Violet's new school has the appropriate facilities and she is able to fully participate in everyday life at school and is thriving," Ms Heasley said.
The family took a disability discrimination case, supported by Northern Ireland's Equality Commission, to the Special Education Needs and Disability Tribunal. It has now been settled without admission of liability.
Dunmurry Primary School has since had an accessible toilet installed.
In settling the case it apologised to Violet and affirmed its commitment to equality of opportunity in the school for all disabled pupils.
Head of the Equality Commission Gerldaine McGahey, said she was delighted to hear that Violet had settled well into her new school.
"The Commission believes every child must have equality of access to a quality educational experience and must be given the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. This remains the case even when times are difficult and budgets tight."
The school said it could not comment on individual pupils but was committed to equality of opportunity.
"We have committed to liaising with the parents of disabled children from enrolment to ensure that the school are fully aware of any needs of the child; and also to keeping parents informed of the progress of any planned adjustments."
