Every child deserves to go through school feeling safe and included. But far too often in our education system, children with disability are excluded, discriminated against and abused. And, when they or their families try to get help, no-one is listening. It’s time disabled kids had a champion!

The recent NSW parliamentary inquiry into the ‘experiences of children with disability in our education system’ revealed shocking levels of discrimination, cruel restrictive practices, unfair suspensions and expulsions, gatekeeping and exclusion. A key recommendation was the creation of an independent oversight body to support, advocate for and investigate on behalf of students with disability – to not just resolve disputes as they arise, but to serve as an independent champion for students and their families. Such a body would also look into issues of systemic disability discrimination and ableism, and provide expert advice to students and families.

It’s time we establish an independent oversight body to support, investigate and advocate for all students with disability across our entire education system. 

Right now, complaints-handling processes for disabled children lack independent oversight and accountability. This, along with persistent underfunding of our education system, has intensified exclusion and discrimination against students with disability and their families. 

This and other parliamentary inquiries, the Disability Royal Commission and the Auditor General, have called for complaints management and oversight of decisions involving students with disability to be student-centric, accessible and truly independent from schools.

We deserve an education system that ensures meaningful inclusive education. We can begin by ensuring accountability, transparency and independent oversight for students and their families. 

Email the NSW Government now, demanding they establish an independent oversight body to support, investigate and advocate for students with disability.