Ashby and Beatriz
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.
There are two primary schools in the town where Ashby lives – one public and one religious.
His mum, Beatriz, enrolled him in the religious school because his sibling was there and the school knew the family.
She provided extensive documentation about Ashby’s disability – he has intellectual disability, epilepsy, vision impairment and anxiety. She included letters from his doctors recommending he have a full-time teacher aide to help him participate and keep him safe.
Beatriz briefly met the principal the year before Ashby was due to start school, to explain his needs and the support Ashby required.
‘We felt hopeful he would be able to attend the same school as his [sibling].’
Just prior to starting school, the principal invited Beatriz to a meeting with the learning support coordinator.
Beatriz expected the meeting to be about adjustments and support. Instead the principal advised the ‘absolute maximum assistance’ the school could provide was a teacher aide for four hours a week. They also told her they couldn’t accommodate Ashby because of a medication his doctors had prescribed in case of an extreme emergency.
‘We came away from the meeting with the message that [Ashby] was not welcome at the school, despite the school purporting to hold strong [religious] values.’
The family, including Ashby’s sibling, was very upset.
Beatriz contacted the district religious education office and they confirmed Ashby couldn’t attend the school.
‘We are shocked that … the [religious] education system is permitted to exclude children with disabilities by denying them the appropriate accommodations, despite these being available through government funding. It is hard to believe that they could also seek to exclude a child based on a medication they are simply prescribed but do not use regularly.’
Beatriz believes religious schools should provide the same supports and accommodations public schools provide.
‘My hope is that children with disabilities are able to be included in all schools in Australia. I believe the experience of learning in an environment with disabled children present will also be of benefit to non‐disabled children in better understanding and normalising disability, improving empathy and also reducing the discrimination and exclusion that disabled people are likely to experience as adults.’
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.