Complaints of disability discrimination in schools across Western Australia are growing at rates higher than in other states and territories. The increase is especially concerning, given the lower student numbers in the state.
Data obtained by advocacy group Square Peg Round Whole WA under Freedom of Information laws also reveals the number of complaints recorded between 2017 and 2022.
The latest figures show a jump by a minimum of 20 per cent, compared to the older data.
Due to the way the information has been distributed, it is not possible to determine the exact percentage increase or see a breakdown by year.
Symone Wheatley-Hey is the advocacy group’s branch coordinator and says Queensland was the only other state to record an increase. That state’s increase was smaller than the one recorded for WA.
Wheatley-Hey says all other states recorded a decline in complaints being recorded.
Although she cannot discuss the specifics of individual complaints filed, she says the majority of parents she helped were making complaints against restraints and restrictive practices or complained about schools either refusing to implement – or improperly implementing individual education plans, often because of a lack of understanding or practical resources.
Intimidating processes prevent further complaints
Wheatly-Hey says the numbers obtained do not reflect the number of stories she has heard working as an advocate and puts this down to what she describes as inaccessible reporting process that sees many cases dragged through the courts.
“The process is imbalanced and intimidating,” she says.
“Many families do not have financial capacity to afford a lawyer and whilst the process facilitates self-representation, the departments are always represented by their legal team.
“An accessible and culturally safe independent body for people to address violations of their human rights outside the court system is essential.”
Despite these concerns, Wheatley-Hey says she is hopeful that classrooms in the state will soon see the impact of recent changes made by the WA Department of Education, including a review of the School Education Act. She hopes this will be reflected by a drop in complaint reports filed in future data.
“We have a minister who has recognised things need to change,” she says.
“We are hopeful and optimistic about the work being done presently and, in our experience, WA is leading the way across the country as things stand. We have just been slower on the uptake.”
