Better support for students with disability

The federal government has launched informative new resources to help those with a disability better access education and training.

Practical resources, including fact sheets, workbooks and action plans, have been co-designed by young people with disability and their carers.

They are designed to help students and young people with disability and their carers navigate the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Standards) and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

“More needs to be done to allow children with disability to access education, and these tools will help. Parents of children with disabilities should not be made to feel like bullies for asking for reasonable adjustments for their kids,” said Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten.

All education providers, from kindergarten through to university, must meet the Standards — ensuring the rights under the Disability Discrimination Act of children in early-years education through to young Australians accessing further education are respected.

The federal government worked with Children and Young People with Disability Australia to develop and deliver the important tools.

“The resources are designed to ensure all levels of education and training are accessible to all Australians, no matter their ability,” said Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly.

“This is particularly important for helping young children with disability to participate in early childhood education, ensuring the best possible foundation for future learning.

“We know that early childhood education plays a vital role — not just in positive education outcomes, but health outcomes too — while providing families and carers with opportunities to rejoin the workforce.”

The government is continuing to work with disability and education stakeholders to implement the recommendations from the 2020 Review of the Standards.

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