INCLUSIVE PRACTICES IN OUR SCHOOLS

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

The Inclusive Education Policy in Australia has evolved over time, but one of the most significant formal steps was the introduction of the:

Australian Disability Standards for Education (2005)

Under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992)

This was a turning point in inclusive practice policy. It required all education providers — including schools — to ensure that students with disabilities have the same rights to education and training as those without.

So, while the concept of inclusive education was discussed earlier, 2005 marks a key formal policy implementation.

Why was it introduced?

1. To uphold human rights: The Disability Standards were introduced to ensure the rights of students with disability to participate on the same basis as their peers — in access, participation, and curriculum.

2. To comply with anti-discrimination law: The DDA (1992) made it unlawful to discriminate, but schools still lacked clear standards. The 2005 Standards gave schools a legal framework and clarified their responsibilities.

3. To shift from integration to true inclusion: Before this, schools often tried to "fit" students with disabilities into existing systems. The policy shift emphasized adjusting the system to include all students — not just making students fit the system.

4. To align with global standards: Australia signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2008), which reinforced inclusive education as a basic human right.

More recently, the Queensland Department of Education introduced its Inclusive Education Policy on 10 August 2021.  This policy underscores the department's commitment to fostering an inclusive state education system where all students can access and fully participate in learning alongside their similar-aged peers.​Policy and Procedure Register+1Department of Education+1

The primary motivations for introducing this policy were to:​

• Ensure Equal Access: Guarantee that every student, irrespective of their background or abilities, has the opportunity to attend their local state school, access high-quality education, and engage fully in the curriculum. ​Policy and Procedure Register

• Promote Safe and Supportive Environments: Create learning spaces free from bullying, discrimination, or harassment, ensuring all students feel safe and supported. ​Policy and Procedure Register

• Align with Legal Obligations: Comply with both state and commonwealth discrimination laws, including the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (Qld), to uphold students' rights to inclusive education. ​Department of Education+3Policy and Procedure Register+3Policy and Procedure Register+3

By implementing this policy, the department aims to embed inclusive practices across all aspects of school life, ensuring that diversity is valued and every student is provided with the necessary support to succeed academically and socially. ​Policy and Procedure Register