2018-11-17
The complainant’s son is legally blind and attended the respondent public primary school. She alleged she had asked the school to install Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs) at the top and bottom of stairs and other relevant points to enable her son to navigate the environment independently and safely. She alleged the school failed to do this. She also alleged her son was unable to participate in sporting activities because the school did not use balls with bells or other auditory signals.
On being advised of the complaint, the school indicated a willingness to try to resolve the complaint by conciliation.
The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the school take steps to improve accessibility to the school’s premises, to invite a blindness agency to deliver an information session at the school each year and to encourage teachers to discuss accommodation of students with disability with their students. The school also agreed to ensure that balls with bells would be used when ball sports were to be played and to potentially introduce goal ball as a sport. The school and the complainant agreed to liaise directly to discuss the inclusion of the complainant’s son in an upcoming school camp as well as ongoing support needs and progress.
Year
Discrimination type
Disability Discrimination Act
Grounds
Disability
Unlawful to contravene Disability Standards
Areas
Access to premises
Education
Adjustments provided
Revised terms and conditions
Amount