Policy Submission: Review of Disability Standards for Education - Parents Forum
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The Julia Farr Association Parents Forum made this submission to the Australian Government on its Review of Disability Standards for Education. The Parents Forum support a review of Disability Standards for Education to ensure that students living with disability are able to access and participate in education on the same basis as their non-disabled peers.
The Parents Forum is hosted by Julia Farr Association and provides an opportunity for parents of children (who are aged between 5-18) and live with disability to access and share information about ideas and opportunities relating to their children getting a ‘fair go’ and where they can identify pathways towards helpful change.
Parents involved in the forum have had experiences with a range of primary and secondary school settings, from mainstream and link, to annex unit and special schools, within the public and private systems.
For these parents the Parents Forum is about taking action, social networking and support. It offers opportunity for them to work together towards shared vision; for their children to lead inclusive lives with access to the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers.
The Julia Farr Association’s role is to provide a voice on behalf of the Parents Forum and to represent the parents’ views on what needs to happen.
Recommendations
Recommendation 1
Money spent on educating student teachers on the rights of students living with disability which are in line with the Disability Standards for Education
Recommendation 2
An increase in funding supports to assist teachers with improved opportunities to teach and implement the Disability Standards for Education
Recommendation 3
A review of teacher role descriptions to incorporate an understanding and good practice of the Disability Standards for Education
Recommendation 4
In relation to the Disability Standards for Education for individual students living with disability, there needs to be improved accountability within schools which demonstrates that the Standards are being met
Recommendation 5
Consultation at all times with students and their associates (parents and guardians) involving their child’s education
Recommendation 6
The introduction of Person-Centred Planning for all students living with disability
Recommendation 7
Introduction of a new Standard: the availability of Individualised (selfdirected) Funding
Recommendation 8
The Standard on ‘participation’ should be reformed to include the involvement of the student and their parent/caregiver in the processes of selecting resources
Recommendation 9
The introduction of Education Consultants to assist teachers with understanding the Disability Standards for Education
Recommendation 10
The introduction of an easier, solution-focused process for parents and individuals to make a complaint with support of an independent body if there is a breach of the Disability Standards for Education
Recommendation 11
The introduction of an independent body to assist with determining ‘what is unjustifiable hardship’ and ‘reasonable adjustment’ to accommodate students with disability in the school of their choice