Sunday, 8 April 2001: Is Australia failing our students with disabilities? ACCESS TO SCHOOLS
When it comes to the major issues of inclusivity for students with disabilities in Australia, like providing a barrier-free physical environment, we have scored a dismal "D".
The United Nations has undertaken a world-wide evaluation of the progress of including people with disabilities in mainstream classes. Teachers, parents, principals and academics were surveyed based on Australian and United Nations criteria.
On the world stage Australia scored slightly better with a "C", but any measure below that was considered to be a failure. Queensland, when measured against other states regarding physical inclusion, rated a "D-" and Tasmania came top of the class with a "C+" rating. Queensland fails dismally when it comes to social inclusion, with a shocking "F" rating as opposed to conditions and attitudes in Tasmania, the ACT and Victoria, which scored a "C-".
In the eyes of the world we have failed miserably when it comes to adaptation of the school curriculum to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Again Queensland scored a "D-" and Tasmania and Victoria still only scored a "C" minus.
The bright spot was Western Australia. They are considered to have examples of inclusion, for a few individuals, that are at the level of "world's best practice". The report, as a result of this research, has found that there is strong support for inclusive education.
Primary and secondary education facilities across our region are largely inaccessible, while TAFE and Universities are fully accessible and well supported.
With elections imminent I believe the Prime Minister should be asked to comment on this country's disgraceful report card.
Robyn Gobert (Mrs)
Ph 4096 5684 Fax 4095 1184
Agent: Photography for the Tourism Industry
Disability Advocate
Disability Officer: Cairns Bicycle Users Group
Columnist: disABILITY column The Tablelander
1999 Individuals Award for Excellence
Winner in the Foxtel "Australian Unsung Hero" AwardsAssociate Member of The Association Of Consultants In Access - Australia Inc.
E-mail accessconsultant@cyberwizards.com.au
Web page: http://www.cairnsbug.org/disability.htm or
http://www.altnews.com.au/cbug/ and click Disability Access News.
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