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Disability royal commission

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Whistleblowers fear nothing has changed despite their harrowing testimonies about disability group homes.

Australia’s most vulnerable ‘run over’ and left ‘crawling on the ground bleeding’

Whistleblowers risked their careers to give evidence to a royal commission, but more than a year later, they fear nothing has changed. Warning: graphic content.

  • Carrie Fellner

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A Herald investigation can publish a cache of photographic and video evidence that documents alarming conditions inside Australia’s disability group homes.

A billion-dollar dirty secret: Homes hide ‘worst conditions you can imagine’

These homes are costing taxpayers an eye-watering amount, but behind closed doors they conceal disturbing scenes endured by vulnerable residents. Warning: Graphic content

  • Carrie Fellner
Assemblies, excursions and other events will resume in WA's 800 schools.

Record number of children restrained, secluded in state schools

Almost 2700 students were restrained or secluded in Victorian state schools in 2023, a 46 per cent rise that experts say is deeply concerning.

  • Caroline Schelle
“These changes are well overdue”: NDIS Minister Bill Shorten.

‘Well overdue’: Criminal referrals, $15m fines for NDIS providers

Bill Shorten’s proposed measures ramp up consequences for providers whose participants come to harm. Until now, only two have been taken to court.

  • Natassia Chrysanthos
Valentina Borbone and her daughter Angelique, who attends the support unit at Moss Vale High.

‘False choice’: The decision about schools that leaves parents with few options

A state inquiry has made substantial recommendations to improve standards for teaching students with disabilities in NSW.

  • Kayla Olaya
Disability Minister Lizzie Blandthorn, left, with Premier Jacinta Allan in March this year.

Sixth government backflip in six months, this time on disability commissioner

The Allan government has quietly shelved a plan to axe the state’s disability commissioner on July 1, its sixth major policy walk-back in six months. 

  • Broede Carmody
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I was about to get married. Then a distraught source rang with bad news.

I was about to get married. Then my phone exploded with calls from one person

He called four times in four minutes. It must be important, I thought – but I’d sworn to myself I wouldn’t answer my phone. Not today, of all days.

  • Nick McKenzie
Amanda Abou-Rjeili said since her son enrolled in the specialist school Mater Dei, his learning has improved, he plays with other kids at lunchtime and he gets invited to birthday parties.

Matthew had never been to a birthday party. That changed this year

There is a push to shut down special schools in coming decades, but parents of children with disabilities say they want to have the choice.

  • Christopher Harris
Penny and Alex Graham.

My son Alex is non-verbal and needs 24-hour care. He thrived at a mainstream school

When I told people that Alex would attend a mainstream school, most people wondered how it would work. His HSC hangs proudly on the wall, beside his year 12 formal photos. 

  • Penny Graham
Responses to the review of initial teacher education are becoming fraught.

In our competitive school culture, students with a disability take second place

The disability royal commission education wishlist is honourable, but without a major cultural shift towards real inclusivity, little will change.

  • Chris Bonnor

Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/topic/disability-royal-commission-1moi