One in five Australians has a disability or chronic medical condition.  A further 10% to 12% of students have learning difficulties.  How many students is that in your class or school?  With the right information and guidance, students can successfully transition to their chosen post-school pathway.

There is a wide range of students whose disabilities or chronic medical conditions may impact their studies and learning.  They may be in mainstream classes, support classes, or at a specialist school.  They may or may not be funded to receive disability support services while they are at school.  They may or may not receive special exam provisions at school.  They may be diagnosed with one or more of a diverse range of disabilities and/or medical conditions, such as:

• chronic medical conditions
• mental health conditions
• learning disabilities
• sensory disabilities
• neurological conditions
• physical disabilities
• intellectual disabilities

Inclusive teaching strategies

Inclusive teaching encourages a flexible approach that anticipates diversity.  Examples of inclusive teaching include:

• Providing reading lists before classes start
• Positioning yourself where you can be seen by everyone
• Using a variety of teaching methods
• Making lecture notes available before lectures.
• Clearly identifying key ideas in lectures and assignments
• Drawing on the students’ own experiences
• Being flexible with assessment methods
• Setting clear expectations 

Disability specific information and teaching and assessment strategies

Click on the links supplied below for specific information and teaching and assessment strategies from the ADCET website.

• chronic medical conditions (for example, asthma, diabetes, cancer, Crohn’s disease, arthritis)
• mental health conditions (for example, depression, anxiety disorders)
• learning disabilities (for example, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia)
• sensory disabilities (for example, hearing, vision)
• neurological conditions (for example, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Asperger’s syndrome, autism, acquired brain injury)
• physical disabilities (for example, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy)
• intellectual disabilities (for example, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Fetal alcohol syndrome).

Disability Awareness Training Resource

In My Shoes is an induction CD for teachers, support staff and administration staff in the tertiary sector to ensure they are aware of their obligations around providing equitable access to education and training for people with a disability.