You should consider the modifications to the curriculum and/or your practice you will need to make to support the full participation of learners with disability. It is estimated that approximately one quarter of all Victoria learners receive reasonable adjustments at school due to disability, so it is likely that you are teaching a learner with a disability. Think about what you can do to find out, and speak with your workplace leadership if you are unsure.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) provides a definition of learners with disability. This is quite broad and includes

• total or partial loss of the person's bodily or mental functions
• total or partial loss of a part of the body
• the presence in the body of organisms causing disease or illness
• the presence in the body of organisms capable of causing disease or illness
• the malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of the person's body
• a disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction
• a disorder, illness or disease that affects a person's thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgement or that results in disturbed behaviour.

The definition of disability includes those learners with disability who are supported by general resources available within the school or service, as well as learners who are receiving targeted specialist education services and supports.

The impact of the learner’s disability should result in the school or service actively addressing the learner’s specific individual education and learning and development needs arising from their disability. This should be done within quality differentiated teaching practice and / or by monitoring the learner, or providing a ‘supplementary’ / higher level of support.

While this definition is broad and includes a wide range of disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism spectrum disorder or hearing and vision impairments, it does not include learners who speak English as a second language. While this may present some teaching or learning challenges, it is not considered a disability.

You may find the following resource useful: Teaching learners with learners with a disability