Royal Commission to hold further public hearing into school education

Barriers experienced by students with disability in accessing and obtaining a safe, quality and inclusive school education will be examined by the Disability Royal Commission at its next public hearing.

The resulting impacts on the life course of those students and their families, when those barriers prevent access to equitable education, will also be considered when the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability sits from 12-16 October, 2020.

The Royal Commission will inquire into the experiences of students with disability, including:

  • the impact on students with disability of absences, suspensions, exclusions and expulsion from school, and their re-engagement with school afterwards;
  • individualised planning and the provision of adjustments and supports;
  • the use of restrictive practices on students with disability;
  • teacher training; and
  • the resulting impacts on the life course and mental health of students with disability who have experienced barriers in education.

While the key focus of the evidence at this hearing will be on the experience of students with disability in mainstream schools, the Royal Commission will continue to inquire into the education of students with disability including issues relevant to segregated/special schools.

Chair of the Royal Commission, Ronald Sackville QC AO will preside over the hearing and be joined by Commissioners Rosyln Atkinson, Rhonda Galbally and Andrea Mason.

“Education is at the cornerstone of a person’s ability to live an engaged and fulfilled life, opening opportunities for future happiness and control of their own destiny,” Commissioner Sackville said.

“It is hoped that the evidence we hear will confirm that these opportunities are available to all Australians, and uncover instances where there are failings or challenges for children living with disability, so that they may be addressed.”

Senior Counsel Assisting the hearing will be Dr Kerri Mellifont QC, appearing with Mr Andrew Fraser, Mr Ben Power and Ms Elizabeth Bennett of junior counsel.

The hearing will take place at the Royal Commission hearing room in Brisbane.

Due to COVID-19, the hearing will be closed to the public, however, it will be live-streamed on the Royal Commission website.

Public hearing 7: Barriers to accessing a safe, quality and inclusive school education (Auslan)

 

The Disability Royal Commission will hold a public hearing from Monday 12 October to Friday 16 October in Brisbane.

It will be live-streamed on the Royal Commission website.

The hearing will be captioned and have Auslan interpreters.

The hearing will explore the barriers for students with disability to access a safe, quality and inclusive education.

It will look at the impacts on the lives of students and their families when these barriers prevent access to equitable education.

It will look at the impacts on the lives of students and their families when these barriers prevent access to equitable education.

The hearing will look at the impact on students of being excluded from school.

It will look at the impact of re-engagement of students when they return to school.

It will look at the provision of adjustments and supports and the barriers to make these available.

The hearing will look at individualised planning for students with disability.

It will look at the use of restrictive practices on students with disability.

It will look into teacher training and qualification requirements.

It will look at the impact of barriers to quality education for students after school, in higher education and employment and on mental health.

At the hearing, students with disability and their families will give evidence mostly focusing on mainstream schools.

For more information, visit our website.