Reasonable school adjustments for disability

Reasonable adjustments may include changes to the way your child is supported in;

• their learning,
• the kindergarten or school environment
• the personalised supports which may be required for participation.

For an Easy English version of this topic, refer to Reasonable adjustments (PDF, 561KB).

What a reasonable adjustment is

A reasonable adjustment is a measure or action taken to help your child with disability take part in education courses and programs, on the same basis as a child without disability.

Education providers can make reasonable adjustments:

• in the classroom
• in the playground
• to excursions and camps
• to the premises.

Examples of adjustments may include:

• changing activities or work in line with your child’s needs
• different ways to access information through the use of adaptive or assistive technology, sign language, braille or visual representations
• using assistive technology like voice recognition software, screen readers and adjustable desks
• changing class schedules or locations
• accessing Area based school support services like psychologists, speech pathologists and visiting teachers
• changing the premises to enable access by installing ramps or a lift
• offering different assessment options including verbal assessments instead of written
• providing extra time to finish class work, projects or assessments
• modified excursions and camps
• specialised professional development or training for your child’s teachers and other staff as needed.
  

When a reasonable adjustment does not have to be made

If an adjustment is not considered reasonable, the education provider does not have to make the adjustment. To help an education provider determine if an adjustment is reasonable, they may consider a number of factors including:

• how your child’s disability impacts their participation in education
• talking to you and your child about the type of assistance they need
• reviewing relevant reports from your child’s allied health and/or medical practitioners about their needs and the supports that can help them
• understanding if the adjustment will allow your child to:
  • achieve their learning outcomes
  • take part in programs
  • increase their independence.
• how the adjustment might affect the education provider, their staff and other children or students
• the cost and benefit of making the adjustment.
  

Unjustifiable hardship

There may be times when making an adjustment would cause unjustifiable hardship to the kindergarten or school. If that's the case, there is no obligation for the education provider to make that adjustment.

If an education provider decides not to make an adjustment, they'll discuss the reasons with you. If you have continued concerns, find out how to raise a concern.

How to speak to an education provider about reasonable adjustments

You can speak to your child's education provider about adjustments at any time during your child's education.

The principal, or their delegate, will meet with you and your child to talk about what type of adjustments will best meet your child’s participation needs. This is called consultation.

If your child is already attending kindergarten or school, their program support group or student support group is involved in consultation about their needs and adjustments. If your child does not have one of these groups, speak to the education provider about creating one.

When talking about what adjustments are best for your child, you may discuss:

• how your child’s disability might impact the way they learn
• what support and adjustments might meet your child’s needs
• how the adjustments might be implemented and any possible impacts to the education provider, their staff and other students.

You may also need to give information about your child’s disability, like medical reports or assessments from their allied health practitioners.

An assessment by a medical professional may be needed to inform the reasonable adjustments for your child. However, the principal makes the final decision about what adjustments can be made, based on all available information.

As your child’s needs may change, reasonable adjustments should be reviewed regularly.

Preparation and planning of adjustments can also be beneficial to ensure successful transitions in kindergarten or school.

Assistance for VCE exams

If your child has a disability they may be able to get special arrangements to complete their VCE.

This can include:

• extra time to complete the exam
• rest breaks
• providing one question at a time
• using computers and assistive technology
• using a reader or scrib
• changing the format such as oral or typed assessment instead of writte
• holding tests in quiet areas
• material in accessible formats.

Special arrangements are available for VCE or VPC at both school-based assessment and external examinations.

Talk to your child’s school about special arrangements for VCE or VPC.

More information and advice

It is important to know your child’s rights and what the education provider can do.

For information about your child’s rights, visit:

• Disability rights and responsibilities
• Victorian School Building Authority
• the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
• the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Raising a concern

You can raise a concern if at any stage you’re unhappy with the support your child is receiving. It is advised to;

• Talk to the education provider first.

Use our complaints process if you’re unhappy with how a concern was handled.

If you would like help raising a concern, refer to the Disability advocacy organisations page on the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website.