Australia Reviews Disability Education Standards

- The Disability Standards for Education 2005 (DSE) were established to clarify the obligations for educational institutions under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), which makes it illegal to discriminate against a person on the basis of disability. - This 2025 review is legally mandated to occur every five years and its focus is informed by the findings of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. - Key areas for the review include the effectiveness of the standards' implementation, processes for inclusive decision-making and complaints, and the clarity of responsibilities for assessment authorities. - Despite the standards being in place for nearly two decades, advocates report that implementation is inconsistent, accountability is weak, and students with disabilities continue to face exclusion and discrimination. - A coalition of 19 peak disability organizations, including Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA), is urging the government to implement a National Roadmap for Inclusive Education, a key recommendation from the Disability Royal Commission. - Research and testimony from previous reviews have highlighted a lack of awareness of the standards among educators, particularly in the tertiary sector, and that the burden of advocating for reasonable adjustments often falls on students and their families. - Ongoing issues reported by students with disabilities and their families include being denied enrolment, the failure of schools to make appropriate adjustments, and disproportionate rates of suspension and exclusion. - An amendment to include the early childhood education and care sector within the standards is also currently undergoing public consultation as part of the review process.