There were no surprises from a survey on education experiences of students with disability. It confirmed what most in the sector knew already, that the level of support the majority of students receive is inadequate. Children and Young People with Disability (CYDA) surveyed 1396 student and families to gather a national snapshot of current experiences. High rates of bullying, exclusion, restraint and seclusion were also reported.
CYDA is writing to state, territory and Commonwealth education ministers and representatives to draw their attention to the survey results.
Some of the key survey findings included:
- 67 per cent of respondents stated that students with disability do not receive adequate support at school
- Over half (52 per cent) of students have been bullied. This is significantly higher than the 27 per cent of the total student population who report bullying.
- 34 per cent of students with disability have been excluded from a range of curricular and extracurricular activities at school. This includes activities such as camps, discos and formals.
- Nearly one in five (19 per cent) students with disability have experienced restraint at school, including physical, mechanical, chemical and psychosocial restraint
- 12 per cent of students with disability attend school part time and 8 per cent have been refused enrolment
For more information visit: http://www.cda.org.au/cyda-education-survey-2016