Resolved complaint (111) about disability discrimination in education

About the complaint

The complainant's son is on the Autism spectrum, has Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder and a pathological demand avoidance profile. She claimed the respondent public school failed to appropriately accommodate her son's disability, resulting in school refusal.

On being informed of the complaint, the school denied discriminating against the complainant's son and indicated a willingness to try to resolve the complaint by conciliation.

The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the department responsible for the operation of the school pay the complainant $30,000 as general damages and write to her family apologising for their experience. The complainant was offered the opportunity to share her son's story and experience with the department and participate in a review of access and inclusion for students with disability.

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