What is the underpinning legislation?
What is the Disability Discrimination Act 1992?
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 This link will open in a new window (DDA) provides protection against discrimination based on disability. The DDA seeks to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against people with disability in a range of areas, including education. It makes it illegal to discriminate against a person on the grounds of disability.
What are the Disability Standards for Education 2005?
The Disability Standards for Education 2005 This link will open in a new window (the Standards) is subordinate legislation under the DDA. The Standards clarify and elaborate the legal obligations of education providers towards students with disability under the DDA. The Standards set out how education is to be made accessible to students with disability through the provision of reasonable adjustments so that they can access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers.
The Standards recognise that not all students with disability are alike. Students with disability have specific needs, including the type and level of support they need in order to access and participate in all aspects of education on the same basis as students without disability.
The Standards cover the following areas:
- enrolment
- participation
- curriculum development, accreditation and delivery
- student support services
- elimination of harassment and victimisation.
Related resources
- Australian Government fact sheet: The DDA This link will open in a new window
- Australian Government fact sheet: The Standards This link will open in a new window
- Online learning: The DDA and the Standards
- Disability Standards for Education: A practical guide for individuals, families and communities
Links between the NCCD, DDA and Standards infographic
Download the Links between the NCCD, DDA and Standards infographic This link will open in a new window (PDF).
