Education matters

'It is a lonely experience': the students barred from camps and excursions

Henrietta Cook and Timna Jacks, The Age, 29 May 2017

Sometimes when Angus arrived at school, his classroom was empty. All the students were on an excursion, except for him ...

Principals under pressure to enrol children with disabilities without support
Andrew Taylor, Sydney Morning Herald, 28 May 2017
A lack of support and resources to teach children with disabilities or special needs has resulted in unsafe classrooms for teachers and students, a survey has revealed ...
Students with disability lack government funding to excel at school, statistics show
Norman Hermant, ABC, 20 May 2017
The revelation earlier this year that hundreds of thousands of students with a disability are in school without any additional funding to support their education has been reinforced by new statistics ...

It’s Time to Address Teacher Bias Against Special Education Students

Teresa Cooper, The Educator's Room, 1 May 2017

As a special educator for eight years, I can honestly say that most teachers have good intentions when it comes to reaching all children. That said, not all teachers are comfortable with, or even express happiness with, having special education students in their classrooms ... teacher bias against special education students is real, and given the fact that a more positive attitude leads to more positive results (MarFarlane and Woolfson), it must be addressed ...

The Path to Higher Education With an Intellectual Disability
Hayley Glatter, The Atlantic, 1 May 2017
Like many college students pestered by nosy relatives, Sydney Davis, a sophomore, is not exactly forthcoming when her boyfriend comes up in conversation. The couple has been together two years, Davis says with the exasperated tone of a young adult clearly trying to change the subject. Davis’s friend, Annsley James, a sophomore wearing a windbreaker with her sorority’s letters on it, sits on the opposite side of the room giggling.

It’s a scene that takes place across college campuses: two friends exchange knowing glances during history lectures, at basketball games, in line at the dining hall. But unlike the majority of young adults pursuing higher education in the United States, James, Davis, and their classmates are doing so with intellectual disabilities ...

The Pro and Cons of Disability Inclusion in School: Inclusion vs. the Self Contained Classroom

Meriah Nicholls, 26 April 2017

This week in the “Pro/Con” series we have Liz (from Ruby’s Rainbow) and Megan (from My Stubborn Little Miss) talking about Disability Inclusion in school. Both are talking about it from the perspective as a parent to a child with Down syndrome.

I need to say that I asked begged Megan to do this because she’s a Special Ed teacher and can; she doesn’t actually have her own daughter in a self-contained classroom, she’s just providing food for thought here ...

Federal Budget 2017: Down Syndrome Australia commentary

Budget Night 2017-2018

9 May 2017

Down Syndrome Australia's CEO, Dr Ellen Skladzien provides this useful summary of tonight's Federal Budget, on items most relevant to Australians with Down syndrome and their families:

The most positive news for the disability sector in the budget was the decision to provide full funding to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) through an increase in the Medicare Levy of 0.5 % from July 2019.  This will provide important funding for the Scheme going forward. It is likely to be controversial as it is basically a tax increase- but provides ongoing funding for NDIS and security for the scheme going forward.

One area of concern in the budget is a funding cut of $12 million to the Information, Linkages and Capacity building component of NDIS.  This is funding that supports organisations, like Down Syndrome organisations, that deliver information, referrals and peer support to people with disability. It is also the part of the scheme designed to assist people with disability who are not eligible for an individualised NDIS package of support. The Government has rationalised this by indicating it is due to WA not joining the national scheme.  However, given that the current level of ILC funding is extremely low compared to the required level of support required in the sector, it is disappointing to see this cut.

Other key budget measures for disability include:

• $33 million dollar package to support aged care and disability workforce growth
• $209 million to establish the Independent NDIS Quality and Safeguards commission
• Investment in Disability Employment Services program over the next 4 years including funding to index payments, funding attached to individuals rather than service providers, and a trial to provide DES to children with a disability in their final years of schooling.
• Changes to the residency requirements for the DSP and age pension.

There are also a range of health measures which will potentially have a positive impact on people with Down syndrome including:

• Lifting the freeze on the indexation of the MBS and reversing the removal of bulk-billing for diagnostic imaging and the increase in PBS copayment and related charges
• $165 million mental health package including $80 million for community psychosocial services
• Investment in health research
• Decision not to privatise Australian Hearing

There was also significant investment in education taking on the Gonski funding model.  This was announced in the lead up to the budget and has been somewhat controversial due to concerns about decreased funding to some private schools.

Overall there are some really positive outcomes; however, Down Syndrome Australia will continue to monitor the ILC situation- particularly if WA changes their approach to NDIS.

Women’s Health Learning Circle

Image description: text reads 'The Women's Health Learning Circle' Family Planning NSW is starting a Women’s Health Learning Circle for women with intellectual disability aged between 45-64 years of age. Image description: A woman in a blue top, smiling, looking up to her left. The Learning Circle will be a place for women to learn about their bodies and the changes they will experience as they age. The Learning Circle will run once a week for four weeks and be led by experienced reproductive and sexual health educators. If you know anyone who would be interested in attending The Learning Circle please forward the information on to them. Places in The Learning Circle are limited so it is important people register to attend the group. Some of the things you will learn about are: menopause health checks for you private body parts relationships how to keep your body healthy The Women's Health Learning Circle will meet once a week for 4 weeks. Where: Family Planning NSW,  328 - 336 Liverpool Road, Ashfield When: 2.00 - 4.00 pm Thursday 8 June 2017 Friday 16 June 2017 Thursday 22 June 2017 Friday 30 June 2017 If you would like to be part of this group contact: Abi Monaghan P: 02 8752 4388 E: healthpromotion@fpnsw.org.au It is important to contact us before 2 June if you want to be part of this group.

Intellectual Disability Healthcare: online courses from University of Queensland

The University of Queensland now offers three courses in its online program Intellectual Disability Health Care. Course instructors are Prof Nicholas Lennox and Miriam Taylor from the Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, University of Queensland:

Able-Minded - Mental Health and People with Intellectual Disability
Gain an understanding of mental health issues and ethical decision-making for people with intellectual disability.

Through my Eyes – Intellectual Disability Healthcare around the World
Learn, from personal stories, the daily life and challenges faced by those with intellectual disabilities.

Well and Able - Improving the Physical Health of People with Intellectual DisabilityLearn how to help those with intellectual disability achieve better health.

Education matters

My daughter with Down syndrome deserves to be in a regular classroom

Heather Avis, Good Housekeeping, 15 April 2017
... we found ourselves catapulted into a world we knew little about and quickly did all we could to figure it out. We discovered this "Down syndrome" thing is pretty incredible ... As it wove itself into the normalcy of our day-to-day lives, I would often catch myself looking around trying to figure out how I got so lucky. It was as though there was this secret club of people who get to do life with Down syndrome, and somehow, I was let in.

But the world of Down syndrome is not all lazy rivers. Over the past 8 years, I've spent more time in raging rapids, clinging onto a rock for dear life as my daughter has undergone lifesaving surgeries and spent way too many hours in doctor's offices. And as we have entered the world of public schools, the taste in my mouth has been anything but sweet ...

Response to Senate report on students  with disability: some positive, but weak

Catia Malaquias, SWJ IncludEd, 2 April 2017
The Australian Government has quietly tabled its Response dated March 2017 to the Senate Committee’s Report entitled “Access to real learning: the impact of policy, funding and culture on students with disability” (released on 15 January 2016) ...

Australian Government launches 'Leading Learning 4 All' website

Catia Malaquias, SWJ IncludEd, 8 March 2017

... the emphasis of the website on school leadership (is) to promote an inclusive school culture, to develop, mentor and support inclusive teaching practices and to foster collaborative relationships with parents of students with disability – each cornerstones of a robust inclusive education system ... Although we have previously expressed our reservations about a “special education” association like ASEPA being tasked with developing inclusive education resources for regular mainstream schools, we acknowledge that the website provides access to a wealth of useful information, tips and resources for principals and teachers in mainstream schools to better include students with disability ...

Do we really believe in inclusion?

Chris Wejr, Think Inclusion, 14 February 2014
As an education system and society, we have made huge strides in the inclusion of students with visible disabilities in our classrooms, groups, sports, and friendships. I wonder, though, if we have made as much progress in including ALL students… especially those who appear on the outside to be similar yet are different (or perceived to be) on the inside. I am not talking about the act of everyone having a seat in a classroom; I am talking about having a mindset of real inclusion ...

Regional workshops for families, on inclusive education

One of the Kids

4 April 2017 - Bathurst

5 April 2017 - Lithgow

6 April 2017 - Katoomba

7 April 2017 - Emu Plains

Family Advocacy

Come along to learn about inclusive education, hear stories of success from the regular classroom, and think about how inclusion can work for your child!

'Disability and a Good Life': free six week online course, UNSW

The University of NSW is offering a six week free online course, Disability and a Good Life:

Learn how disability intersects with human rights, and how a good life can be made possible for everyone. 

20% of the global population has a disability; that means most of us will have an experience of disability in our lives - whether personally, through family and friends, or work. 

It’s crucial that we understand disability and what it means to live well with disability.
In this online course, you’ll find out more about human diversity, and learn about disability and the systems, structures, supports and approaches that enable everyone to live a good life. 

• Register now

NSW CID e-news, February 2017

Book now - early bird registration closing next Tuesday

Down Syndrome NSW Education Conference 

    

23 and 24 March 2017

SYDNEY

     

Early bird registration closes

28 February 2017

Keynote speakers:

Dr Rhonda Faragher - senior lecturer in mathematics education, Australian Catholic University. Brisbane 

Dr Kelly Burgoyne - formerly at Down Syndrome Education International, currently Senior Research Fellow, Psychology, Australian Catholic University. Brisbane

Other speakers: 

Leading professionals from within the Department of Education and Training and the Catholic Education Office.

An essential two day conference for anyone working with a student with Down syndrome and suitable for educators working in all education sectors. Parents and carers are also welcome.

• Flyer and program details 

• Booking details and registrations are available now via the Down Syndrome NSW website

Education matters

MU program a model for other colleges

Cathy Molitoris, Lancaster Online, 18 February 2017
... Students in the Career and Life Studies program are part of person-centered planning to identify the hopes and dreams of each student, Bechtel says.

“This is a very significant experience for the student and their family/friends because many students have never been asked about their hopes and dreams,” Bechtel says. “In K-12, much of their day and life have been planned out and structured according to an IEP (Individualized Education Program) outlining the services and paid supports available for a student. Thinking about college and their future career was not on their radar until the barriers to access came tumbling down with the creation of post-secondary education programs.” ...

Students with a disability face massive funding shortfall, Education Council figures suggestNorman Hermant, ABC AM, 16 February 2017
Students with a disability face an enormous funding gap in Australian schools, new figures from the Productivity Commission and the Education Council appear to have shown ...

A principal’s role in promoting inclusive education
Brett Henebery, The Educator, 13 February 2017
Research has shown that when included in the mainstream school system, children with a disability thrive in their learning.

This practice is called inclusive education, which is defined as education free from discriminatory beliefs, attitudes and practices, including free from ableism. Inclusive education requires putting inclusive values into action to ensure all children and adults belong, participate and flourish ...

Education expert provides 5 tips to help parents with school team conversations

Global Down Syndrome Foundation, February 2017
It is at this time of the year, that I tend to find families entering into more challenging conversations with their school teams regarding instruction, growth and next steps for their child. Here are a few tips to help with these courageous conversations ...

'Not just a nice idea': The importance of inclusion in and beyond the classroom
Anna Delaney, CBC News, 11 February 2017
.. Pam Anstey, the executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for Community Living, says she believes strongly in the benefits of an inclusive classroom.

"Inclusive education works. It's been proven over and over and over again," she said. "It is the best system to create and foster diversity and belonging." ...

Our Top 10 Free Resources for Inclusive Schools Week 

Brookes Publishing, 6 December 2016

Over the past few years we’ve built up a big collection of free resources on inclusive education, and this seemed like a great time for a top-10 list ... webinars, book excerpts, printables, and articles on some of the most important topics in inclusive education. Bookmark this post to keep these resources at your fingertips, and share them with your colleagues who work toward a fair and equitable education for all students ...

Early bird registration extended

DS NSW Education Conference 2017
    

23 and 24 March 2017

SYDNEY
     
Early bird registration
extended until 
28 February 2017

Keynote speakers:

Dr Rhonda Faragher - senior lecturer in mathematics education, Australian Catholic University. Brisbane 

Dr Kelly Burgoyne - formerly at Down Syndrome Education International, currently Senior Research Fellow, Psychology, Australian Catholic University. Brisbane

Other speakers: 

Leading professionals from within the Department of Education and Training and the Catholic Education Office.

An essential two day conference for anyone working with a student with Down syndrome and suitable for educators working in all education sectors. Parents and carers are also welcome.

• Flyer and program details 

• Booking details and registrations are available now via the Down Syndrome NSW website. 

• Early bird registration closes 28 February 2017

School, education, teaching, learning

What a very hot, hot hot week for the start of the 2017 school year! Best wishes to all of those students starting school or high school for the very first time, and those returning from the long summer holidays.

There is so much information available to support students, teachers and families, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are just a few links to give you food for thought right now:


I Don’t Speak for Laura
George Estreich, New York Times, 27 January 2017
... In one way, Laura’s Father’s Day note is nothing special: Lots of people with Down syndrome read and write. In another, it is evidence of a radical transformation that began in my lifetime, and is still underway ...


Schools For All Guide

School Inclusion Parent Network

We, as parents, are the experts on our children and the constant in their lives. But navigating the schools years and ensuring that our children gain access to the general education classroom, receive the appropriate supports and stay on the path to an inclusive future, can be challenging and confusing. Access to quality information can make all the difference ...

• This guide refers to US law and school administrative procedures, but it also includes reading on the nature of inclusion in education, the role of families and other matters that have universal relevance.

Tips for Teachers - a collection of short practical tips for teachers to improve the inclusiveness of their general education classrooms

Dr Robert Jackson and Catia Malaquias, IncludEd (part of the blog Starting with Julius), January 2017
The 2017 school year is about to start and teachers in regular mainstream classrooms will be busy planning and preparing teaching materials, including differentiated curricula materials for students with disability allocated to their class. To assist, we have gathered together all our “Tips for Teachers” articles on this page, including some additional information.

Tips For Teachers Series:

• Creating An Inclusive Class Culture – Practical Tips For Teachers (N.o1)

• Supporting Peer Connection in the Inclusive Class – Practical Tips For Teachers (No.2)

• Less Is More: The Education Assistant – Practical Tips For Teachers (No.3)

• Getting the “Big Idea”: Including All Students in the Same Curriculum – Practical Tips for Teachers (No. 4 Part A)

• Making the “Big Idea” Achievable: Including All students in the Same Curriculum – Practical tips for teachers (No. 4 Part B)

• Presenting the “Big Idea” for All: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – Practical tips for teachers (No. 4 Part C)

• Behaviour Support in the Inclusive Classroom: The Basics – Practical Tips for Teachers (No. 5 Part A)

Education conferences in Qld and NSW
Two education conferences scheduled for the early weeks of the school year will be of interest to schools, individual teachers and support staff - families can pass the information about them to their child's school:

Embracing Success, Down Syndrome NSW's annual education conference will be held in Sydney 23 - 24 March 2017

Endless Possibilities, Down Syndrome Queensland's annual education conference will be held in Brisbane 2 - 3 March 2017, and might be more accessible to families and teachers in far northern NSW 

More posts on education matters

New online course from Down Syndrome Education International

Down Syndrome Education International has announced a new online course, to be presented by Professor Sue Buckley:

Implementing the Reading and Language Intervention for Children with Down Syndrome (RLI)

... This online course is designed for educators (teachers in mainstream and special education, advisory teachers and SENCOs, teaching assistants and paraprofessionals, speech and language therapists/pathologists) involved in delivering the Reading and Language Intervention for Children with Down Syndrome (RLI). Parents with an interest in the intervention and how they can support their child’s reading and language learning in partnership with their school may also benefit from the course ...

• Details of course content, resources, duration, registration and costs are now available via the Down Syndrome Education International website, here

Down Syndrome NSW education conference 2017

 

     23 and 24 MARCH 2017

     SYDNEY





Keynote speakers:

Dr Rhonda Faragher - senior lecturer in mathematics education, Australian Catholic University. Brisbane 

Dr Kelly Burgoyne - formerly at Down Syndrome Education International, currently Senior Research Fellow, Psychology, Australian Catholic University. Brisbane

Other speakers: 

Leading professionals from within the Department of Education and Training and the Catholic Education Office.

An essential two day conference for anyone working with a student with Down syndrome and suitable for educators working in all education sectors. Parents and carers are also welcome.

• Flyer and program details 

• Booking details and registrations are available now via the Down Syndrome NSW website. Early bird registration closes 31 January 2017.

Intellectual disability / mental health e-learning

Intellectual Disability Mental Health e-Learning provides free eLearning about intellectual disability to professionals, carers, and consumers. Our goal is to improve your knowledge, skills and confidence, leading to better mental health and wellbeing for people with an intellectual disability. 

The program is an initiative of the Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN) at the University of NSW.

New e-Learning module on intellectual disability mental health now available
3DN, 12 January 2017

The new module aims to enhance the working relationship between disability professionals and other professionals involved in a person’s supports. It covers topics such as ‘what is interagency working?’, ‘how do different agencies work together?’ and ‘how can professionals work together to enhance mental health support?’ 

The module is freely available now at www.idhealtheducation.edu.au

New e-Learning modules for carers are in development
Currently, 3DN staff are designing online modules for carers of someone with an intellectual disability and mental illness. They would like your input:

Contact Thea Kremser at 3DN on 02 9385 2580  or
email t.kremser@unsw.edu.au
for further information

Embracing Success 2017: DS NSW education conference, early bird registration now open

 

23 and 24 MARCH 2017  

SMC Conference and Function Centre, Goulburn Street 

SYDNEY

 Keynote speakers:

Dr Rhonda Faragher - senior lecturer in mathematics education, Australian Catholic University. Brisbane 

Dr Kelly Burgoyne - formerly at Down Syndrome Education International, currently Senior Research Fellow, Psychology, Australian Catholic University. Brisbane

Other speakers: 

Leading professionals from within the Department of Education and Training and the Catholic Education Office.

An essential two day conference for anyone working with a student with Down syndrome and suitable for educators working in all education sectors. Parents and carers are also welcome.

• Flyer and program details 

• Booking details and early bird registrations are available now via the Down Syndrome NSW website. Early bird registration closes 31 January 2017.

News and commentary on education

Recasting school reports - recognising progress rather than standardised outcomes

Catia Malaquias, Starting with Julius: IncludedEd, 18 December 2016
...  A long list of adverse results in comparison to the “average” learner without much more goes a long way to telling a parent and the student themselves that they do not belong in that learning environment ...

A summary of the evidence on inclusive education

Thoman Hehir, Silvana and Christopher Pascucci and Abt Associates, for Instituto Alana, August 2016

... In this report we sought to identify research that demonstrates the benefits of inclusive education not only for students with disabilities, but especially for students without disabilities, since evidence of benefits for the former is already widely known. This report is the result of a systematic review of 280 studies from 25 countries. Eighty-nine of the studies provide relevant scientific evidence and were synthesized and summarized below. 

There is clear and consistent evidence that inclusive educational settings can confer substantial short- and long-term benefits for students with and without disabilities ...

How schools avoid enrolling children with disabilities
Linda J Graham, Helen Proctor, Roselyn Dixon, The Conversation, 28 January 28, 2016

Children with disabilities are frequently discriminated against in Australian schools. It has been an ongoing issue for years, with reports showing that little has improved since 2002.

Exclusion practices – dubbed “gatekeeping” – include: advising parents to send their child to another school that could better support them; allowing a child to attend a school only on the days that funding is available; and asking parents to pay more so the school can employ support staff or purchase equipment. Although this happens across all school types, it tends to be more prominent in, and easier for, non-government or private schools.

Australia's disabled children at risk of being denied promised funding after counting stuff-up

Matthew Knott, Sydney Morning Herald. 20 December 2016

Students with disabilities could miss out on hundreds of millions of dollars in extra funding because of serious concerns about the reliability of a landmark national audit into the number of school children with special needs ...

• What is the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability?, Australian Government Dept. Education and Training, 20 December 2016

‘Naughty’ classes are wrong: here’s what the research says
Linda Graham, Australian Association for Research in Education, 31 October 2016
A primary school in Victoria made the news recently when it created a separate “naughty-naughty” class for children experiencing learning and behavioural difficulties. It is not the first school to have done this and it is unlikely to be the last ...

Finding support when you least expect it
Inclusive Education Canada, 8 November 2016
In October 2016, Gordon Porter, Director at Inclusive Education Canada, and Debbie met for the first time while Gordon was promoting inclusive education at a series of speaking events in Northern Ontario. Debbie told Gordon he had a significant impact on the course of her life despite having never met in person ...

Family Advocacy event update

Full details and fliers are now available for this Family Advocacy event for families early next month, and registration is open:

All students learning together - creating positive social climates for inclusion

Wednesday 8 February 2017 - Rosehill (Parramatta)

Family Advocacy - Professor of Inclusive Education, Mara Sapon-Shevin presents a workshop on positive social inclusion in the regular class for students with disability.

This workshop is for families of children with disability only. The overall focus of this workshop is on inclusion for students with disability in school and will be relevant for all families with school aged children. However, be aware the strategies shared focus mainly on primary school settings.

Improving healthcare for people with intellectual disability: UQ online course open for registration

From the Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, University of Queensland:

A world-first series of free online courses designed to improve healthcare for people with intellectual disability is again open for registration.

The ABLE XSeries, developed by a team of online learning specialists from The University of Queensland’s UQx and The Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability (QCIDD), had reached a large and responsive audience since its initial release in March 2016, said QCIDD Director Professor Nick Lennox ... read more about the course and how to register here

Sean Fisher is the face of the ABLE XSeries. 

Down Syndrome NSW 2017 education conference: bookings open

SMC Conference and Function Centre, Goulburn Street, Sydney 

Featuring Dr Rhonda Faragher, Dr Kelly Burgoyne (formerly of Down Syndrome Education International) and leading professionals from within the Department of Education and Training and the Catholic Education Office.

This is an essential two day conference for anyone working with a student with Down syndrome and suitable for educators working in all education sectors. Parents and carers are also welcome.

• Booking details and early bird registrations are available now via the Down Syndrome NSW website

Bus Stop Films: expressions of interest for 2017

Interested in studying with Bus Stop Films next year?

We're now taking expressions of interest for our Beginners and Intermediate courses for people with an intellectual disability.

Our courses will be held at the Australian Film Television and Radio School.

For more info, email hello@busstopfilms.com.au