New research paints a disturbing picture of what it's like in schools for students with disability. It shows they experience high rates of bullying, exclusion and a lack of support in the classroom.
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00:00 Caitlin O'Rourke is finishing her homework before school.
00:04 She'd rather be writing a story.
00:06 I would like to be an author, like writing books.
00:10 The nine-year-old is legally blind.
00:12 She credits her support teacher at her primary school
00:15 for teaching her braille.
00:17 It is so important.
00:19 Like, I couldn't have had anything better in my life.
00:22 You all right?
00:23 Want me to hold the back of it?
00:25 Yes, please.
00:26 Mum Jessica is worried the teacher who's been helping her
00:29 for four years could soon lose her job
00:32 because the Victorian government is scaling back
00:35 a visiting teacher program.
00:37 I'm actually really afraid for Caitlin
00:40 because without these people in her life helping her,
00:43 her education just isn't accessible.
00:45 New research details just how challenging school can be
00:48 for students with disability.
00:50 70% of students with disability felt excluded
00:53 from activities and events at school.
00:56 65% reported experiencing bullying.
00:59 Only 27% of students reported feeling like they got the support
01:03 they needed to learn in the classroom,
01:05 and so that statistic rings real alarm bells for us.
01:08 Parents are desperate with limited options.
01:11 They can't use NDIS funding for support teachers
01:14 and few can afford out-of-pocket costs.
01:17 I feel like we're in a bit of a rock and a hard place.
01:19 We could try and get creative with our funding
01:21 and risk getting in trouble for doing that
01:23 and then not having the funds for other services she needs.
01:26 The Victorian government says it's maintaining 32 specialist teachers
01:30 who support students with hearing and vision impairment,
01:33 but consultation is ongoing.
01:35 The agency running the NDIS says the states and territories
01:38 have a responsibility to ensure support is provided
01:41 to students with disability in school.
01:43 A win for some, but the fight for equity continues for others.
01:48 [BLANK_AUDIO]