Page 7 - LINK Magazine April 2015

soFt bigotryChildren with disabilities are getting a rough deal when it comes to the education system, argues Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent.Children, and their parents, have a right to expect fair access to education in Australia. It’s something we take as a given. Yet I am aware, through my discussion with parents, that all is not well when it comes to students with disabilities in our education system.In my home state of South Australia, children as young as four are being suspended from Department of Education and Child Development (DECD) sites, and while parents may blame school and school, in turn, may blame parents, it’stime to work as a community to get this situation sorted out. The working life of classroom educators has changed dramatically and the reliance on school support officers (SSOs) to deliver programs to children with disabilities is problematic. As professional, hard- working and dedicated as they are, the work of SSOs is no substitute for qualified developmental educators.Parents contact me in dismay over situations where, for instance, they are telephoned from their child’s school on a daily basis and asked to come and collect their child due to their behaviour. The child’s behaviour is part of their disability, and may reasonably be expected at times to be disruptive, yet the effect of this is that because “school can’t cope” parents can’t work. It’s simply not good enough. According to a Productivity Commission report, the workforce participation rate for primary carers is 54% compared to 80% for non-carers (2011). The economic ramifications of family carers being pulled out of the workforce to support their child when the education system cannot, presents an unacceptable cost.The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing was once again held in May and, under nationally agreed protocols, studentswith disabilities were entitled to sit the tests with some adjustments. It is the responsibility of schools to inform parents of these adjustments and it is imperative that schools are appropriately resourced to provide the necessary supports. Currently, SA spends just one-third of the national average per special needs student - it’s time we lifted our game. George W. Bush once described various forms of systemic bias as the “soft bigotry of low expectations” (2000). It seems to me that this phrase captures the essence of the unfortunate reality for too many school students. It also aptly describes some of the condescending attitude of the broader community in their dealings with us.In the coming weeks I will take action on issues of fairness in education by seeking to establish a committee of the SA Parliament that will inquire into the experiences of children and families in our education system. It’s necessary because there are so many instances that indicate a level of discrimination that the broader community would not accept. I am especially interested in finding practical solutions, such as suggestions for broadening and improving teacher education training in order to ensure that all students are supported to achieve their full academic potential, regardless of disability.June 2015 — Vol 24/2linkmagazine 05Link: opinion