Thursday, 9 September 2021

Mr HODGETT (Croydon)

I rise today on behalf of students with disabilities and their families, carers and support workers, to give a voice to a group that has been disproportionately affected by school closures yet has been largely left out of the conversation.

I have been contacted by many families across Victoria who are struggling without a plan from the government to reopen special schools as a priority. In particular, I have heard from a number of parents of children with autism, who rely on structure and routine, reporting that their children have become increasingly isolated and anxious. Many of these students do not understand why their routine has been completely altered and the stress and anxiety are causing regression in both education and social skills.

Closing special schools removes children from an environment where they receive tailored curriculums and support as well as necessary therapies. Parents and carers are doing a wonderful job of trying to support the students with learning from home, but they are also struggling.

Last year, the Association for Children with a Disability and Amaze provided reflections on schooling during COVID-19 for students with disability. They reported, and I quote, ‘many families had to reduce working hours or resign from their jobs to provide the level of care and support needed for their child to learn from home. This particularly impacted women’. The impacts of this on families cannot be understated, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where many Victorians are already experiencing substantial mental stress and anxiety along with financial hardship.

I have been very vocal about reopening schools, all schools, and I will continue to advocate on behalf of Victorian students. I am pleased that the government has responded to our advocacy and is prioritising getting years 11 and 12 students back to school. Students with disabilities are another group that need to be prioritised, and I call on the government to reopen special schools as a matter of urgency.