The Australian Government's Department of Education offers a comprehensive suite of resources on the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (DSE), aiming to support students with disabilities, their caregivers, and educators. For more detailed information and access to these resources, visit the Department of Education's official page on the Disability Standards for Education 2005.
These resources clarify rights and obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), ensuring equitable access to education. This blog provides an overview of the resources available and shortcut links to specific resources.
Information for Students
Co-designed with input from students with disabilities and their families, DSE guides are available in multiple languages and formats, including Easy Read and Auslan. They provide practical information about the rights of students with disabilities and the obligations of education providers. View all resources here.
Respect at school - this resource is for students with disability, their parents and caregivers, and schools, to learn about respectful behaviour and why it is important to include students with disability in decision-making.
The Disability Standards for Education in practice: Action plan - This workbook is for students with disability. It guides readers on how to set up reasonable adjustments for their time in education. The resource was co-designed by students with disability and their parents and caregivers.
Moving through secondary school - supports students with disability and their parents and caregivers with the transition from primary to secondary school and post-school pathways.
Personal experiences of young people with disability in the education system - personal stories which share the experiences of students with disability during their time in education.
Resources for Parents and Caregivers
Getting started - this resource for culturally and linguistically diverse parents and caregivers of students with disability. It helps you understand how to support your child with disability in the Australian education system
Advocating for your child: the early years - This is a toolkit for parents and caregivers of young children with disability. It explains your child's rights in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and how you can advocate for your child in ECEC.
Milestones and transitions - this toolkit for parents and caregivers of primary school students to support your child through times of change in education.
Resources for Educators
Guidance on Legal Obligations: Materials outlining educators' responsibilities under the DSE, providing practical guidance on implementing inclusive practices and making reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities.
Information products for educators and education providers on supporting students with disability
Advocacy and Complaint Guidance
Tools to help students and caregivers build self-advocacy skills, including steps to raise and resolve concerns with education providers.
"How to advocate" offers guidance on building self-advocacy skills and resolving issues.
Steps to raise concerns and resolve a complaint with your school - supports parents and caregivers of students with disability to raise, escalate and resolve concerns with their school.
Know your rights
Students with disability have the right to join in all parts of education. You have the same right as students without disability to:apply to enrol or be admitted to an educational institutiontake part in a course or programtake part in learning experiencesuse support services, including specialised support services.
To learn more about your education rights, view the resources at: www.education.gov.au/disability-standards-education-2005/information-resources-students-disability-and-their-caregivers
These resources are designed to promote understanding and compliance with the DSE, fostering an inclusive educational environment where students with disabilities can participate on the same basis as others. For more detailed information and access to these resources, visit the Department of Education's official page on the Disability Standards for Education 2005.
.avif)
