Hudson and Kyah
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Hudson came home from school one day very excited. ‘I start my senior subjects next year mum,’ he announced to Kyah. Kyah said she was surprised because Hudson would only be starting year 10.
Hudson has cognitive and physical disability and is on an individualised learning program.
Kyah told the Royal Commission that for the most part Hudson’s school ‘has been amazing at providing support’ for him. Teachers communicate openly and are proactive in planning learning pathways for Hudson, adjusting the curriculum so he can access subjects at the appropriate level.
The students are also supportive. Hudson ‘feels part of his cohort and is looked out for by his peers’.
Kyah contacted the school for more information about Hudson’s year 10 ‘senior subjects’.
The school explained that the education authority allows students to ‘bank’ learning credits from the beginning of year 10 onwards. Hudson’s year 10 cohort would start ‘banking points’ for two subjects and were naturally ‘excited about … being one step closer to finishing their learning journey’.
But the education authority informed the school that this option was not available to students on an individual learning plan.
‘I was devastated to hear my son would not be extended the same learning opportunities as his peers because of his disability,’ Kyah said.
Hudson’s teachers were also upset.
‘It was clear they were just as devastated that they had to follow a policy that was clearly discriminating against my child because of his disability.’
Kyah believes Hudson ‘should be entitled to start his senior pathway, like his peers’.
She would like to see the same rules applied to all students.
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.