NSW: International Day of People with Disability

Today is International Day of People with Disability. It is a day aimed at celebrating progress in breaking down barriers, opening doors, and realising an inclusive society for all.

NSW public schools are currently experiencing the benefits of the first two years of the implementation of the Gonski needs based funding model. If fully implemented, the six year NSW Gonski agreement will lift government investment in all schools to a new, higher level of recurrent funding.

Commonwealth funding for the Gonski loading for students with disability and years five and six of the NSW funding agreement are vitally important to improving the schooling experiences, learning outcomes and lives of students with disability.

Federation calls on members to act on the following to strengthen the commitment and system structures necessary for the principles and aspirations of Gonski to be realised for every student.

Action on Support Class Placements and Integration Funding

Federation’s November Council endorsed a motion calling on the Department to provide suitable and sufficient support class placements for students with disability in a timely manner and called for Senior Officers to seek an urgent meeting with the Department to develop transparent statewide support placement procedures.

The Department is currently being audited on their learning and support of students with disability with a focus on whether they are identifying and meeting the needs of students with disability when they transition to a new school A critical component of transitions requiring urgent action from the Department is the provision of support placements for students with disability for whom that adjustment is necessary.

The council decision can be accessed here and should be read in conjunction with Federation’s Special Education Policy.

Should the Department not adequately address this matter, members in affected schools are urged to consult with their Federation Organiser to determine appropriate action.

Audit of the Department's Learning and Support of Students with Disability

The Department of Education’s performance in the area of learning and support is currently being audited by the Audit Office of NSW.

A survey has been developed to seek feedback from families of students with disability, principals, teachers and other school staff in public schools.

Federation strongly encourages all school based members to complete the survey and share it widely amongst their school community and networks. The survey is available on the bottom right hand side of the home page of the Audit Office of NSW and can be accessed directly here.

The surveys are confidential and both close at 5pm, on 18 December.

In the spirit of International Day of People with Disability, please invest the time in addressing and encouraging broad participation with these matters, as an opportunity to make positive changes to the lives of our current and future students, together with their families, teachers and communities.