I work with special needs kids all the time (Public school Teacher).
These kids don't want "special" treatment, they want simple consideration. These kids are thrilled to be able to participate in any activity that remotely resembles something the regular ed students do.
I wish I had a video of the Christmas Concert (Yes we call them that here in Virginia) where the SPED class did their version of "Jingle bell Rock" They brought the house down.
Would it really have been that difficult to have the kids move over to one side with the teacher standing next to him? Would it have been difficult to have a row of chairs in front with him him at one end or the other (The front row is all sitting)?
Since they were on bleachers, yes. It would have made his wheelchair just as obvious. Read the article. They reshot the picture with him on the bleachers and a "helper" holding him upright. How stupid. All they did was make him the focal point.
Again, this is superficial. How did the child feel? We have no idea.