Choosing a school
Selecting a school for your child is one of the most important education decisions your family will make.
When meeting with potential schools or enrolling your child, it is important to discuss your child’s individual needs so that going to school can be stress-free and positive for everyone.
Support at school
It is a good idea to understand what support is available to your child – the school may not have had a child with a limb difference in their community, so you might need to explain this to school staff.
Your child may be eligible for additional funding, equipment and support at school and in the classroom. Every state and territory has different funding and individual planning arrangements – to find out ask your school or contact the relevant government education department or schools association in your area. Go to our list of education departments and associations
If your child is returning to school after an acquired amputation, their educators and peers may need your support and guidance. For more detail go to returning to school after a limb amputation
Enrolling at school – what happens next
The school will generally want to put an individual plan in place for your child. These plans include:
- funding eligibility
- accessibility modifications
- classroom assistance
- curriculum
- any other needs.
All schools must comply with the Disability Standards for Education, 2005 (Commonwealth of Australia), which clarifies education providers’ responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth of Australia). To find out more go to NCCD (the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability initiative).
The school may ask you to provide information about your child’s limb difference to new teachers or at the beginning of each school year. This may feel intrusive or frustrating, but it’s important to remember that the school is asking to ensure that your child receives the best support.
