Reasonable adjustments

Schools have legal obligations to support your child’s access and participation at school by making what’s called ‘reasonable adjustments’.

There are many ways that school can support your child’s learning in partnership with you. An inclusive approach by schools can inform a range of decisions – from building works, to new programs, curriculum planning, professional development and the venue for school camps.

At the classroom level, teachers can make plans and choose teaching and learning strategies that are inclusive and meet the needs of all students, including those with disability.

What are reasonable adjustments?

Under the Disability Standards for Education, schools and education providers must make reasonable adjustments so that students with disability can participate on the same basis as other students. This can include making changes to the curriculum and programs, teaching approaches, the classroom, or accessing support services. For an adjustment to be reasonable, it has to be fair to everyone involved.

Adjustments made to support students with disability can also be helpful to other students as well. Professional development for school staff can help to build capacity across the school, to better meet the needs of all students.

Schools can make many different kinds of adjustments to meet your child’s needs, in many different areas. For example, adjustments can be aimed at supporting your child’s:

Learning
Personal care or medical needs
Participation in all school activities
Communication
Social inclusion

If an activity, facility, service or program cannot be adjusted or made accessible or suitable for your child, the school is legally required to offer an alternative comparable to what is offered to students without disability.

New approaches to supporting students with diverse learning needs are being developed all the time. Your input and ideas are also of great value, as you know your child best. You should feel confident to offer them through the Student Support Group and in communication with your child’s teachers.

What are some examples of reasonable adjustments?

Tailoring the teaching approach

Choosing activities for the whole class with your child’s needs in mind
Breaking down information into smaller chunks
Writing down instructions rather than giving them verbally
Asking a series of questions to test knowledge
Modifying the amount or complexity of a task
Allowing your child to complete the task in a different way from the rest of the class
Giving more time to complete a task
Using an Education Support Officer to help your child stay on-task

Meeting access needs

Providing information in large print
Providing supportive seating, including on the floor
Having handrails up steps or ramps to classrooms, toilet and play equipment
Providing pencil grips or slated boards

Supporting self-regulation

Adjustments to uniform requirement (e.g. allowing students to wear PE uniform every day)
Providing movement breaks
Having quiet spaces
Providing visual timetables
Supporting the wearing of headphones
Having lockers and trays in easy to access places

Supporting your child’s communication and care

Providing access to communication devices at all times
Training for teachers and support staff in how to use communication devices
Training for staff around your child’s personal care or medical needs
Providing toileting support as needed

Modifying assessment tasks

Allowing use of assistive technology, such as a laptop, rather than handwritten assessments
Asking a series of questions rather than requiring a written response
Additional time for assignments or exams
Rest breaks and quiet rooms for exams

Involving therapists

Consulting with your child’s speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and psychologists
Having therapists provide training to school staff