⚠️ Content note: Mentions of violence and seclusion.
CYDA conducted a National Education Survey between August and September 2019 to provide important information on the experience of children and young people with disability in their school education.
There were 505 young people with disability and families and caregivers of children with disability who responded to the survey.
The survey had representation from all states and territories, all age groups and from metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia.
The majority of respondents were from families of students with disability (97%), with the balance of respondents being students with disability.
The results of the survey show that students with disability are routinely excluded in their education, with many being segregated from ‘mainstream’ schools and classrooms, not attending school full-time, refused enrolment and excluded from school activities.
Suspensions and expulsions are also familiar practices, showing the lack of understanding and support for students with disability.
While the majority of students receive some specific support at school because of their disability or learning difference, there are many families who are out-of-pocket for supports and equipment to enable the student to participate in education. Many students do not have a personalised individual education plan in place. Families did not believe:
- students with disability received adequate support in their education
- that they were communicated with regularly about the student’s learning progress
- that teachers had high expectations of the student, or
- that teachers had the required training to provide a supportive and enriching education environment
Students with disability experience unacceptably high levels of abuse and violence at school, including bullying and restrictive practices such as restraint, seclusion or both of these.
You can download our full report using the buttons above.
