Resolved complaint (277) about disability discrimination in goods, services and facilities

About the complaint

The complainants’ five-year-old son has autism spectrum disorder and attended the respondent childcare centre. The complainants allege that after they submitted a draft report about their son’s disability, the centre told them their son would be excluded until further notice. The complainants said this decision was made without implementation of a behavioural management plan or other adjustments.

The childcare centre said it provided adjustments to accommodate the complainants’ son and considered altering rostering arrangements rather than exclusion of the child due to escalating problematic behaviour and recommendations in the draft report.

The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the child care centre pay the complainants $7,500 and write to them expressing regret for their experience. The centre also undertook to deliver staff training and review relevant policies and procedures.

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