Supporting a Disability Strategy

In 2019 the NSW Department of Education released a Disability Strategy highlighting the changing nature of disability within NSW public schools, and providing a practical framework for supporting students with disability.

Project lead: Carol Mills, Institute for Public Policy and Governance
Duration: 2019-2021

Schools Infrastructure NSW subsequently asked UTS to develop a strategy on how students with disability can have improved access to quality classrooms and infrastructure to meet their learning needs.

This project will research and audit the operations of 20 public schools across NSW, with consideration given to different learning contexts. Researchers will look at characteristics including, but not limited to, location and accessibility of classrooms, connections with other facilities on school sites, and physical aspects such as acoustic levels, lighting and the robustness of classroom fit outs.

What impact will we create?

The project team will develop an evidence-based tool that assists Schools Infrastructure NSW to assess physical learning environments in NSW public schools against global best practice for inclusivity, and to prioritise upgrades. The goal is to support and enhance the education experience of students with disability.

Who are we working with?

  • NSW Department of Education
  • Dr Kirsty Young, Faculty of Arts and Social Science, UTS
  • Domenic Svejkar, Design Innovation Research Centre, UTS
Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.