Students with disabilities are being let down by school system, advocate says

A well-known disability education advocate says students with disabilities are being let down by the system, with many not receiving the support they need in secondary school. DETAILS >

Xavier Jones 18 with father Nigel Jones of Hobart. Xavier has now missed the entire first term of the school year after his enrolment to do a year 13 was refused. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A well-known disability education advocate says students with disabilities are being let down by the system, with many not receiving the support they need in secondary school.

Kristen Desmond said stories like that of Xavier Jones, who’s been delayed in his approval to undertake year 13, as reported in the Mercury, were not uncommon.

“The reality is we shouldn’t have children getting to year 12 without being able to read and write,” Ms Desmond said.

“There is better support for primary than secondary and college.

“When young people turn into young adults, there is an expectation they don’t need the level of care they needed and that is often not the case.”

Kristen Desmond is a disability education advocate. Pic: Supplied

Ms Desmond said Nigel Jones’ claims the school had not followed the plan for Xavier’s epilepsy was concerning, but she’d heard other parents deal with similar situations.

“Some schools are ignoring plans,” Ms Desmond said.

“When parent ask, they’re told it’s at the school’s discretion which reasonable adjustments they put into a learning plan.

“If schools have an allied health report, schools need to be providing those reasonable adjustments.”

Ms Desmond said she’d spoken to many parents about needs of their children not being met, something she said could be leading to students with disabilities dropping out.

“The government talks about in theory providing education on the same basis as their non-disabled peers but that’s not what’s being provided,” Ms Desmond said.

“The new model isn’t working because kids [living with disabilities] aren’t participating as much as their peers.

Xavier Jones 18 with father Nigel Jones of Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“If you look at the number of kids not making it to year 12 I would suggest there is a significant proportion of those who are students with disabilities, that don’t get the support they need.”

A department of education spokesperson said schools were obligated to follow plans.

“All schools are required to provide reasonable adjustments to students with disabilities to ensure their access to education on an equal basis with their peers,” they said.

“Students with disability have an individual learning plan that specifies the reasonable adjustments and modifications that must be provided to meet their educational needs.

“Parents and guardians play a crucial role in the development of these plans, and their input is essential in identifying and determining the reasonable adjustments that are necessary for their child’s education.

“Schools are obligated to follow these plans and provide the specified reasonable adjustments unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so, which are rare exceptions.”