Australia has legislation in the form of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Cth) that has the objective of eliminating disability discrimination.

It is a system whereby parents must bring a claim of discrimination to conciliation, and perhaps on to litigation. This complaints-based system places a heavy burden of proof on parents. Parents struggle to understand the rights of their children under the Act and the Standards. Many parents lack knowledge about disability discrimination laws and may not even recognise their situation as discrimination

Although consultation with the student or family is required under the Standards, students and parents have limited knowledge about possible assessment adjustments, and many teachers and other professionals may also lack adequate knowledge.

 

About the presenter

Dr Jill Duncan has a mixed professional portfolio of executive-level public service, educational leadership in the not-for-profit sector, and academia. In addition, she has in-depth lived experience, research experience, theoretical and practical knowledge in promoting equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion across the lifespan for people with disability.