A public hearing that is examining education pathways for children and young people with disability is now underway in Canberra. The five-day hearing Public hearing 24 that commenced on June 6 is examining the experiences of children and young people in different primary and high school education settings, including special schools, with a focus on Western Australia and South Australia.
The Royal Commission will hear evidence about the pathways provided by different education settings from early childhood through to high school and transitions to life after school.
Witnesses will share their experiences of battling to ensure their children received a quality education and the same opportunities as their siblings without disability. They will share their experience of the schools failing to work with parents to develop individual learning plans, failing to provide adequate support, responding to behaviours of concern with restrictive practices and the impact of conflicts.
Having access to education is a fundamental human right, protected for people with disability under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Education is also a determinant of future outcomes such as employment and health, and vital to the full development of individual potential.
The Commission will hear from Children and Young People (CYDA), Inclusion Australia and the Yellow Lady Bugs about the experiences of their members and a vision for more inclusive education settings. Representatives from education authorities in WA and SA, and a representative from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) are giving evidence.
Public hearing 24 builds upon the Royal Commission’s ongoing work relating to the experiences of students with disability, including Public hearing 2 and Public hearing 7.
The hearing, which is being held in-person at Rydges Canberra, is open to the public to attend. It will be live streamed on the Royal Commission website.
The full witness list is available here: Public hearing 24 – Witness list | Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability