Kids living with disabilities face issues accessing school in Geelong, Bellarine

It took a Drysdale mother 10 years to find a suitable mainstream school for her son, who lives with a disability. She’s revealed what needs to be done to better support kids like hers.

Julie Penfold, with son Adam McCoughtry, spent a decade finding the right high school for Adam to attend. Picture: Brad Fleet

It took a decade for Julie Penfold to find a suitable high school for her son Adam McCoughtry, who lives with a disability.

Adam, who has Down syndrome and is an NDIS participant, will be attending a mainstream senior school next year after his mum’s tireless search.

While she is happy to have found a suitable school in Geelong for Adam, Ms Penfold said there was a “huge deficit”.

The Drysdale resident said there was a problem on the Bellarine Peninsula in particular, with many parents sending their kids to schools in central Geelong or Armstrong Creek – about 45 minutes’ drive away.

“There’s a huge need,” Ms Penfold said.

Ms Penfold said Adam was about three when she started considering which high school to send him to. Picture: Brad Fleet

“Adam was about three when I starting thinking about where he would go for high school.

“It’s a really big issue (that) needs rejigging.”

The state government’s $1.6bn Disability Inclusion package is being rolled out over five years with all government schools moving to the new approach by 2025.

An education department spokesman said the package was “transforming” support for students with disabilities.

“By looking past a diagnosis – and focusing on the individual’s abilities – we are better able to put in place the supports each student needs,” the spokesman said.

“This could range from an electronic reading aide for a student with dyslexia or additional classroom staff to support those who need more one-on-one support.”

Under the Disability Standards for Education 2005, education providers are legally required to make reasonable adjustments for students with disability.

Independent schools including Clonard College and St Joseph’s College enrol students of all abilities, with principals Luci Quinn and Tony Paatsch reporting their schools make adjustments to support students with additional needs.

A Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) spokesman said schools established a Program Support Group (PSG) so those with knowledge of the child could plan adjustments.

“Schools receive additional funding to help support students with disability and may also be eligible for some additional support where there are complex needs,” he said.

Ms Penfold said there was a desire from parents to keep their children connected to the communities they lived in.

She said considerations like children with disabilities taking the bus and associated safety concerns, as well as school-zoning limiting options, made it harder for parents to choose the right school for their child.

Ms Penfold said there was a “big revision” needed of school infrastructure to better support those living with disabilities.

“The needs are so great,” she said.

“We’re learning as we go.

“It’s about a different way … focusing on the children’s specific needs and what’s important for them – is it to learn specialist maths in year 12, or is it to be able to play basketball in a team?”

Ms Penfold said it was “all about inclusion”.

For more information visit www.vic.gov.au/disability-inclusion-extra-support-children-disability

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Originally published as Kids living with disabilities face issues accessing school in Geelong, Bellarine