Some teachers are “resisting diversity” in their classrooms and failing to cater for disabled students, the disability royal commission has been told. Special education teachers say despite some students having “complex needs”, there is no reason they cannot attend and thrive in mainstream schools.
The disability royal commission in Townsville has been told while there are amazing teachers many don’t want children with disabilities in their classrooms.
10-year-old girl with Asperger’s was hit across the head, pushed from a pier and had to hide in a rubbish bin to escape harsh taunting by classmates, the disability royal commission has heard.
Counsel assisting Kerri Mellifont said some disabled students are subject to violence and bullying so severe they are forced to withdraw from the mainstream school system. “Those submissions and information start to paint the very real and stark picture that in many places persons with disabilities are not receiving equity in their education,” Dr Mellifont said.
Closing date: December 20, 2019
The Royal Commission issues paper on education outlines the Commission’s preliminary understanding of the key issues and barriers experienced by students with disability and asks 13 questions. The Royal Commission is encouraging responses from individuals and organisations to the issues paper by 20 December 2019 (although submissions will be accepted after that date).
It emerged recently that legal support services were still weeks away from being fully operational and that the commission’s in-house counselling team was still recruiting.
“The commission is confident that the issues that have been raised are ones that can be resolved in time for the first hearing,” Ms Pirani said.
Despite advocates fighting for decades to have a royal commission, Children and Young People with Disability Australia chief executive Mary Sayers said the process since it was announced in April has been “rushed”. “What’s a stake is we’ve got a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We know that students with disability have a really rough time in school … and they start behind and don’t catch up,” Ms Sayers said.
A “substantial number” of the largest NDIS providers are being ordered to provide information relating to complaints, investigations and reported incidents of violence and abuse.
Large care providers are in the crosshairs of a royal commission delving into the abuse, neglect and exploitation of Australians with disabilities.
Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston today announced the Hon Roslyn Atkinson AO as the seventh Commissioner for the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. Minister Ruston said Ms Atkinson’s judicial experience, her standing in the community and extensive experience in engaging people with disability makes her extremely well qualified for this appointment.
BRISBANE barrister Rebecca Treston QC has delivered a shocking snapshot of abuse, neglect and disadvantage suffered by disabled people living in Australia today. “Every 10 minutes someone with profound or severe disability experiences physical or sexual violence,” Ms Treston, told the opening session of a new royal commission.
ABC News is committed to covering the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with a Disability and endeavouring to ensure our coverage is accessible to all Australians no matter what their abilities or disabilities.
The disability royal commission is officially underway, but advocates are threatening to boycott the inquiry unless two of the commissioners stand down over alleged conflicts of interests.
The chair of the disability royal commission, Ronald Sackville, has said people will not have to make submissions to commissioners with whom they do not feel comfortable.