Disability Standards
The disability standards in education have the following objectives:
- to clarify and make more explicit the terms used in the Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA)
- to outline the obligations of providers and the rights of people with disabilities, in regards to education and training.
- to affirm and strengthen the public commitment to a fair go for people with disabilities in education and training and full opportunity to realise their potential.
The Standards cover the areas of:
- enrolment
- participation
- curriculum development, accreditation and delivery
- student support services and
- elimination of harassment and victimisation.
All government and non-government education and training providers will be bound by the education standards
Description
The standards explicitly state the obligations of education and training service providers under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the rights of people with disabilities in relation to education and training. They demonstrate the Government's ongoing commitment to overcoming discrimination against people with a disability. The standards have been developed through extensive consultation with education, training and disability stakeholders, as well as the involvement of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
The standards apply to government and non-government providers in all education sectors, including the pre-schooling, schooling, vocational education and training, higher education, and adult and community education sectors.
The standards clearly set out the obligations of education and training providers in relation to the education of students with disabilities, how those obligations can be met and what students with disabilities can reasonably expect from participating in education.
The standards set out: the obligations of education and training providers in relation to the education of students with disabilities, how those obligations can be met; and what students with disabilities can reasonably expect in participating in education. The standards also apply to providers of educational services, including curriculum and accreditation bodies. The disability standards for education are available online from the Attorney General's department web site.
