Bloggers needed: Vic Education says too many donuts cause failure to learn

By bobb |

We'd love for people to turn up for this hearing and blog about what the Victorian Government says (see details below).

So far the department has said that the reason for the young man’s failure to learn is that, he ate too many donuts.
Last week a department expert witness said that standardised assessments were not as good as unwritten teacher observations because, teachers have a special gift.

Last week the department lawyers and their expert witness said that people with an intellectual disability don’t learn, so no matter what you do with them they don’t improve.

GPS Personal Locators Provide Parents Peace Of Mind If Family Member Wanders & Becomes Lost

By trackingcentral |

TrackingCentral Pty. Ltd, a Brisbane based company supplies a miniature GPS Personal Location device called CareTracker which is used by carers or family members to locate a loved one in the event they wander off or become lost.

The CareTracker is the size of a match box and can be carried in a pocket or backpack or else securely attached to the wrist / ankle or clothing. The CareTracker has a battery life of up to 20 days.

Teen sues over school failure

By bobb |
Beau Abela. Photo: Craig Abraham
Beau Abela photograph

Maris Beck, May 1, 2012

A TEENAGER is suing the Education Department in Victoria because he cannot read, write or count properly, saying he was silenced with medication and teachers blamed his inability to learn on eating doughnuts.

Beau Abela, now 18, claims he was victimised and discriminated against because of his complex learning disability.

Barrister David Hancock told the Federal Court in Melbourne that his client, Beau, did not have the literacy or numeracy skills to get a job. “Instead he sits at home wondering what to do with his life.”

Mr Hancock said that the department had blamed Beau, his family, “even his diet” and had not provided enough help. Mr Hancock contrasted reports from prep and early school years describing Beau as happy, responsible and friendly with later reports of aggression and disengagement. “The longer Beau has been at school, the more his intellectual functioning has actually declined.”

He told the court, presided over by Justice Richard Tracey, that Beau had passed through the system even though he had failed to meet the required academic levels, and despite his father’s repeated concerns.

Questions the government should be answering.

By Julie Robottom |

My husband and I are the parents of 6 young adults, 5 of whom are disabled. Four of them are autistic with 3 falling in the severe to moderate range. They also all have up to 3 co-morbid disorders which are associated with autism. My husband and I did not realize we had a genetic mismatch as originally my youngest daughter was the first to be diagnosed. My three boys were diagnosed in their adolscent years which made life extremely challenging.

research into the experiences of students with disability in Victorian schools

By Anonymous (not verified) |

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is conducting research into the experiences of students with disability in Victorian schools.

This follows an increase in complaints to the Commission relating to disability discrimination in education, and concerns raised by parents of children with disability, disability advocacy groups and members of the Commission’s Disability Reference Group about the provision of education services to students with disability.

Workplace Bullying

By Mark1961 |

I currently have three investigations underway against the Department of Veterans Affairs over workplace bullying (and being force to resign). Comcare, Human Rights Commission and an independent investigator appointed by the Minister for after ignoring my letters for 3 months. The results from these complaints/investigations should be in soon....bu... It is horrific what a person with Aspergers has to go through to bring the subject of workplace bullying into the light. DVA has also sought to blame my condition.

Family to pay discrimination case costs

By bobb |

April 29, 2011

A Victorian family who sued the Department of Education for discriminating against their disabled son have been ordered to pay legal costs after losing their court battle.

Paige Walker claimed her now 16-year-old son Alex, who has Asperger's Syndrome, was not allowed to attend his country Victorian secondary school full-time during 2007.

Asperger Friendly primary schools in Victoria

By Tracy Muzek |

Hi, this is my first blog, would like to know if anyone is aware of any Asperger friendly schools in the Eastern Suburbs/ Yarra Valley in Victoria. My son is 8 (Grade 3) and was diagnosed with Aspergers 5 months ago. We want to find a school that understands and supports children's needs with Aspergers please help!

'No discrimination' of Asperger's boy

By bobb |

Selma Milovanovic Legal Affairs Reporter
March 25, 2011

A TEENAGE boy with multiple disabilities who was sent home during lunch and banned from school excursions has lost his discrimination claim against the Education Department.

The Victorian boy, whom The Age has chosen not to name, has Asperger's syndrome (an autism spectrum disorder), dyslexia and attention deficit disorder.

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