The Australian Government Department of Education has published a new information resource on the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (the Standards) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with disabilities and their parents and caregivers.
It talks about students’ rights and what schools must do to support all students to join in and learn. It includes pictures and a clear outline of the laws and obligations of all schools to create inclusive environments that value all students, and is available in Easy Read, Auslan and community languages.
The story begins by introducing the reader to four students who share their experience of disability. Also, the steps that schools must take to prevent or stop disability and harassment and ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’ cultural values are understood, respected and part of their learning experience. Students are encouraged to speak up and share their concerns and through the narrative, guided about who they should contact, such as an Aboriginal community centre and disability liaison officer.
The resource was designed by and for young First Nations people with disability, with the help of First Peoples Disability Network Australia (FPDN) and Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA).