Parents are often accused of being too pushy when it comes to their childs education, so why arent they being pushier and demanding private school places for their children?
Australian discrimination law is designed to ensure that children cannot be denied enrolment in any public or private school on the basis of their disability. And that theyre treated equally once they are enrolled.
The federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 covers both public and private schools. The legislation makes it clear that a school cannot refuse enrolment because of the childs disability or offer enrolment on less favourable terms.
State and territory laws provide additional protections against disability discrimination in education, but apply to private schools in a more piecemeal way.
Disability Standards for Education, made under the federal act, give more clarity and weight to this right to non-discriminatory enrolment.
Research shows that children with disability are regularly being turned away from private schools.
But parents dont have to accept that.
