Resolved complaint (254) about disability discrimination in education

About the complaint

The complainant’s son has autism spectrum disorder. The complainant alleged the respondent faith-based K-12 school declined to enrol his son on two occasions because of his disability, made excessive requests for documentation, did not appropriately consult on the provision of adjustments to accommodate his son’s disability and was not transparent about the decision-making process.

The school claimed the number of applications exceeded available places and that the complainant’s son remains on a waiting list should a place become available. The school said that in response to the complaint, it reviewed enrolment documents to ensure language is appropriate and inclusive and reviewed its enrolment procedure.

The complaint was resolved by conciliation with an undertaking by the school to commission an independent external review of its enrolment and document handling policies and processes.

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