2018-06-08
The complainant’s 15-year-old daughter has a mild intellectual disability and severe language disorder and attends the respondent private high school. The complainant claimed the school had failed to make adjustments to assessments and day-to-day tasks to accommodate her daughter’s disability. She also claimed that some teachers were making inappropriate comments about her daughter’s disability and not allowing her to use the bathroom when required. The complainant also alleged that staff were not communicating appropriately with the family and this was having a negative impact on her child.
On being notified of the complaint, the school indicated a willingness to participate in conciliation. In response to the complaint, the school introduced policies and procedures for accommodating the needs of students with disability and delivered training to staff on their obligations towards students with disability. The school also met with the student’s family to discuss how best to accommodate her disability.
The complaint was resolved. In addition to steps already taken, both parties made undertakings regarding ongoing communication about the complainant’s daughter’s education and disability-related needs. The school also agreed to meet with the student’s family at least twice each school year to discuss her ongoing disability and learning needs.
Year
Discrimination type
Disability Discrimination Act
Grounds
Disability
Unlawful to contravene Disability Standards
Areas
Education
Adjustments provided
Anti-discrimination/EEO training introduced
Policy change/Change in practice
Amount