Dear Disability Discrimination Act Review Committee,
I am a parent of a child with learning delays and suspected ADHD who is in prep. Having a full time teacher aid in this class has been invaluable and I would love to see this inclusive practice extended to other grades to keep kids with higher needs engaged and learning in the school environment. I am also deeply concerned about the rate of suspensions and punishments for disabled students being out of step with best practice. Lengthy suspensions isolate students and further delay their learning which can exacerbate issues and shame students unnecessarily.
I care about disabled people being able to access quality education at all stages of life — from childcare and school to tertiary education. I’m making this submission because I believe every student deserves the right to learn in an inclusive environment. I support the A Right to Learn campaign’s call for suspensions and exclusions to be used only as a last resort.
Students with disability should be learning alongside their peers, not separated from them.
Protect the right to learn:
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Section 22(2)(b) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) should be amended to cover ‘suspension and exclusion’ as well as expulsions.
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The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and associated Disability Standards for Education should be amended to require education authorities avoid exclusionary discipline unless it is necessary as a last resort to avert serious harm to the student, other students, or staff.
I urge the government to strengthen the Act so students with disability — and all students — can fully exercise their right to learn, together.
Yours sincerely,