Tens of thousands of students with disability are being overlooked in promised education reforms ahead of the South Australian state election.
That is the warning from Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) and other advocacy bodies calling on political leaders to outline how they will strengthen inclusive education in the state.
CYDA CEO Skye Kakoschke-Moore said both major parties have so far failed to commit to long-term inclusion, despite one in four students in Australia receiving educational adjustments for a disability.
“Children and young people with disability have the same right to learn, participate and belong at school as their non-disabled peers,” she said.
“Yet their experiences and needs are being treated as an afterthought this election, as though they don’t need to be accounted for when mapping out the future of South Australia’s education system.
“That’s surprising given the state has shown leadership on inclusion in the past by establishing the country’s first Autism Minister and an Autism Inclusion Teachers initiative. With the right commitment, it could lead the nation in inclusive schooling.”
While Labor and the Liberals have each promised some investment in infrastructure and public school fee reduction, neither has committed to broader systemic inclusive education reform.
Yet a clear pathway already exists. Last month, CYDA launched the South Australia Roadmap to Inclusive Education – a staged 15-year plan that outlines practical steps to support inclusive education across the state.
It was developed in consultation with 719 South Australian teachers, families, and students over 12 months.
During this process, CYDA found:
- 86% of teachers wanted more training to support disabled students
- 85% of families wanted their child educated alongside their peers
- Only 24% of students felt their school had a culture inclusive of disability
Ms Kakoschke-Moore said it was clear educators, families, and students agreed more had to be done to support teachers, improve culture, and strengthen inclusive practice.
“Like many states and territories, South Australia is grappling with consistent teacher shortages and burnout,” she said.
“This plan recognises that supporting teachers with tools, training and resourcing also means supporting children and families who just want to be included.
Tracey Wallace, Interim CEO of disability advocacy organisation JFA Purple Orange, which supported the SA Roadmap project, said education is a key issue raised by the disability community.
“Inclusive education benefits everyone. The Disability Royal Commission made that clear when it called for an end to segregated education settings. Yet two years on, we are still waiting to see meaningful action,” she said.
“We’re calling on the incoming South Australian Government to commit to a co-designed inclusive education strategy – one that invests in inclusive practice, builds workforce capability, and stops the creation of new ‘special’ schools or segregated units.”
- CYDA CEO Skye Kakoschke-Moore
- JFA Purple Orange Interim CEO Tracey Wallace
- Jerzy Ashley and his mother Emma
- Other students, parents, or teachers upon request
For more information or further comment, please contact CYDA:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 03 9417 1025