Frequently Asked Questions for parents and carers
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Schools
Will children going to ACT schools still get the same support they receive now from 2015?
Supports for children within ACT Government schools will not change as a result of the NDIS
trial. The Education and Training Directorate currently provides additional resources to
schools to support children with developmental delays and disabilities to access education.
This support can be delivered in mainstream schools or in specialist schools. Support will
continue during the NDIS trial and beyond.
If my child has a developmental delay or disability, can I send them to any school I
choose?
Your choice of school is not limited by your child’s developmental delay or disability. The
same enrolment procedures and timelines for ACT public schools apply to all children,
regardless of their support needs.
All ACT public schools are able to make the required reasonable adjustments to ensure a
child is able to participate in education on the same basis as their peers. If your child
requires additional support to access the curriculum the school can apply for the Inclusion
Support Program (ISP). Other specialist programs that are offered in mainstream schools
include Learning Support Centres, Learning Support Units, Autism specific Learning Support
Units and hearing or vision support.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in a specialist school, you are encouraged to
contact the specialist school principal directly. The principal will advise on eligibility criteria.
If my child has a developmental delay or disability and they attend a mainstream school,
what supports will be available to help them?
Preschool
The Support at Preschool program is a program that helps schools to include children with
significant developmental delays or disabilities in preschool. Schools can consult with a
specialist in disability education on how best to make adjustments to the curriculum and
accommodate your child and may receive additional funding to help them undertake
required changes. This program will continue to run and will not be impacted by the
changes under the NDIS.
Kindergarten to Year 12
The same supports that are currently available to students in ACT public schools will
continue to be available during the NDIS trial.
What do you mean by ‘inclusion’?
In education inclusion means including every student in the educational programs
offered by the school. It involves personalising the learning program for each
student by valuing their uniqueness - their interests, experiences, abilities, prior
learning, insights, needs, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and learning styles.
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Frequently Asked Questions for parents and carers
Inclusive education means:

recognising, embracing and valuing diversity

regarding all children as full and valued members of their social group

enabling children with a disability to access the same learning opportunities as their
peers

providing appropriate supports are in place to ensure that children are included

supporting children to develop a sense of belonging within their social group.
What support will the NDIS provide in schools?
Families of children who are eligible to access the NDIS will meet with a planner to discuss
the necessary and reasonable supports that their child requires. These supports make up a
‘package’. Packages will be individualised for each child. All children will be able to access
mainstream services such as early childhood education and care, preschool and school.
The NDIS will only fund supports relating to school education, where these supports are also
required by the participant to engage in a range of community activities.
This includes

assistance with self-care at school including help to eat

specialist transport

equipment that is transportable such as a wheelchair, personal communication
device or hearing aid which will be used in all areas of a student’s life

specialised or intensive support to transition between schools or from school to
post-school options.
What will happen if my child is currently taken to school by school transport?
Special Needs Transport is currently provided by Keirs, ACTION or taxi and will continue to
be coordinated by the ACT government during the NDIS trial.
Transport to and from school required as a result of a student’s disability (where no other
transport is appropriate will continue to be provided by the Education and Training
Directorate during the NDIS trial. The cost of these supports will form part of the ACT
Government’s contribution into the NDIS scheme. Transport can be included in a student’s
NDIS package. You are encouraged to discuss this with the NDIA to ensure that the
individual funding for transport is allocated as part of your support package.
Will my child’s personal care at school change?
Personal care in schools will also continue to be delivered to students with disabilities by the
Education and Training Directorate during the NDIS trial. Personal care, like transport, can
also be included in your child’s package. You are encouraged to discuss this with the NDIA to
August 2014
Frequently Asked Questions for parents and carers
ensure that the individual funding for personal care is allocated as part of your support
package.
Where can I find more information?
Further information about the NDIS and early intervention services is available from the
following sources:

NDIA website - Link to NDIA website

Education and Training Website - Link to ACT Education and Training website

ACT Government information line (02) 6207 1086

Community Services Directorate website – Link to Community Services Directorate
website
o NDIS Update:
Link to NDIS update on Community Services Directorate website
o ACT NDIS Taskforce:
Link to ACT NDIS Taskforce information on Community Services Directorate
website
August 2014