**MEDIA RELEASE** Wednesday 17 June 2015  

CDA WELCOMES SENATE INQUIRY INTO EDUCATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY Today, the Senate has confirmed it will hold an Inquiry into the education of students with disability in Australia.  The Inquiry will look into the social, economic and individual benefits of improving education opportunities for students with disability and the impact of funding decisions.  Children with Disability Australia (CDA) welcomes the inquiry and is ready to participate and provide testimonials from many of its 5000 members regarding the barriers to education children and young people with disability face and the urgent need for reform. For students with disability, accessing and participating in education remains one of the most significant challenges encountered in childhood.   Stephanie Gotlib, CEO of CDA said: “We are constantly informed of the poor education experiences of students with disability. Students with disability are often discriminated against,” “Insufficient funding for education continues to be a significant national issue. Often staff are not being adequately trained and there continues to be an entrenched culture of low expectations in the education system which limits students’ opportunities to achieve and learn.”  A national survey published by CDA last month confirmed that children with disability face considerable barriers to a quality education.  The survey assesses the direct education experiences of students with disability and revealed a system in crisis. 68% of parents surveyed believe that their children are not receiving adequate support at school. One in four children with disability has been refused enrolment at some point, and a further 17% are only offered part-time enrolment.  The survey exposes both active and passive exclusion of students with disability on a day-to-day basis. 39% of respondents said that children with disability were regularly excluded from school activities, such as excursions, playground at recess and lunch, school discos and after-school clubs and classes, because the school did not have the resources to enable them to attend. “The direct experience of education for many students with disability is overwhelmingly and shamefully inadequate. CDA believes there is an urgent need for a national inquiry into the education of students with disability to examine the present experiences of students, the reform undertaken to date and the future reform required.” said Ms Gotlib. MEDIA CONTACTSara Irvine+61 402982002sarairvine@cda.org.au CHILDREN WITH DISABILITY AUSTRALIACDA is the national representative persons’ organisation for children and young people with disability, aged 0-25 years.www.cda.org.au