VEOHRC research into experiences of students with disabilities in Victorian schools

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has released Held back: the experiences of students with disabilities in Victorian schools. The Commission undertook research examining the experiences of students with disabilities in Victorian Schools to learn how schools are meeting students’ needs, as well as understanding where practice might be improved. The research was initiated following concerns raised by the Commission’s Disability Reference Group, parents, advocates and students about discrimination in the provision of education services to students with disabilities.

More than 1,800 students, parents and educators had their say through surveys, phone-in and “have a say” days.

Held back highlights the commitment of parents, teachers and principals to ensure students gain access to the best possible educational opportunities, but also notes inflexible policies which deny students the opportunity to achieve, persistent experiences of bullying, and the lack of appropriate training for teachers, both at university and after qualifying, to make sure they can provide the best possible support to students.