More than 210,000 Australian students with disabilities will benefit from the commencement of the new Disability Standards for Education announced today.

The introduction of the Standards was welcomed today by Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Brendan Nelson.

The Standards explicitly state the obligations of education and training service providers under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the rights of people with disabilities in relation to education and training.

They demonstrate the Government’s ongoing commitment to overcoming discrimination against people with a disability.

The Standards have been developed through extensive consultation with education, training and disability stakeholders, as well as the involvement of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

They clearly set out:

• the obligations of education and training providers in relation to the education of students with disabilities,
• how those obligations can be met; and
• what students with disabilities can reasonably expect in participating in education.

The Standards apply to government and non-government providers in all education sectors, including the pre-schooling, schooling, vocational education and training, higher education, and adult and community education sectors. They also apply to providers of educational services, including curriculum and accreditation bodies.

The Disability Standards for Education are available online at Attorney-General's Department

Source: Australian Government Attorney-General's Department - Attorney General's Department - Disability Standards for Education