Where are we now? Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission 2012 & 2017 Victorian Auditor General’s Office 2012 Federal Senate Community Affairs References Committee 2015 Federal Senate Education and Employment References Committee 2016 Department of Education and Training (PSD Review) 2016 Victorian Senate Family and Community Development Committee 2017 New South Wales Ombudsman 2017 Education of Students with a Disability or Special Needs in New South Wales 2017

Who has the power? Minister Secretary

Are we moving forward? The power of the glossy brochure. The reality.

Smoke and Mirrors The Brochure Principles for Reduction and Elimination of Restraint and Seclusion In Victorian Government Schools

The Reality Regulation 15   Regulation 15 A member of staff of a Government school may take any reasonable action that is immediately required to restrain a student of the school from acts or behaviour that is dangerous to the member of staff, the student, or any other person.

Case Studies As We Speak Adelaide Eight Schools General Inability to support academically and behaviourally

Melbourne John For six years Goal - making a mark on a piece of paper; Goal -        match colours; Goal -        match letters to his name; Goal -        make noises and smile   Six years-no communication method

Country Victoria Cages at Bendigo Special Developmental School

Advocacy Cup of Tea Advocacy Equal Opportunity Act Disability Discrimination Act Media Convention of the Rights with a Person with a Disability Convention on the Rights of the Child Ombudsman Ombudsman/senate/human rights commission reports

Litigation - eliciting genuine responses Not a reasonable adjustment Student Support Groups Behaviour Plans Individual Education Plans Behaviour Assessments Protection from bullying   Invisible individual education plans, invisible behaviour plans, restraint, seclusion

Queensland Physical Violence Seclusion

Outcomes of litigation Positives Vindication for families and students Media Negative Confidential settlements Little systemic change Millions of dollars spent 

Why?

Attitude-general view that people with disabilities are not important? Reluctance to spend money? General educational incompetence across the board? Too hard?

What needs to happen next? The pace of change - how many more people should be sacrificed

While we wait ……. suicide attempted suicide acquisition of mental illness leaving school without an education leaving school without communication forced home schooling forced Distance Education

Thoughts Unity Strength Targeted civic action