Supporting Children with Disability and Strengthening Inclusion in Schools

Please join us for the Healthy Development Adelaide (HDA), Novita and Department for Education forum on Supporting Children with Disability and Strengthening Inclusion in Schools.

This forum will explore how we can better support children with disability and strengthen inclusion in our schools and preschools. Our panel of experts include leading educators, researchers, and allied health professionals to share research, case studies, and practical strategies for inclusive education.

Topics include authentic inclusion in the wake of the Disability Royal Commission, the power of peer and professional partnerships, and system-wide approaches to creating equitable learning environments. With thought-provoking presentations and opportunities for networking, this event invites educators, families, and community members alike to be part of the conversation about building more inclusive, supportive, and connected schools and preschools for every child and young person.

OUR SPEAKERS

Dr Peter Walker, Lecturer, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University

Moving authentically towards Inclusive Education in a post-Disability Royal Commission world

Since the Disability Royal Commission released its final report into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, we have seen a uniform rejection of Recommendation 7.14 - the cessation of segregated schooling. This talk will address the report, recommendations, and responses, and reflects on “what now” for inclusion advocates.

Peter has worked in special education for over 20 years, teaching and leading in diverse school settings. This included principalship of a special school in NSW. Since 2011 Peter has been a lecturer at Flinders University. He completed his doctorate in 2019 on Co-located Schooling and Inclusion. He is past national president of the Australian Association of Special Education. In 2016 Peter gave a Tedx Talk on Inclusive Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FolCetXtYG0 and in 2018 he was an invited speaker for the Adelaide Festival of Ideas.

Amelia Edwards, Clinical Lead, Speech Pathology, Novita

From Little Things, Big Things Grow: The Impact of an AAC Peer Training Program at an Inclusive Primary School

Peer training can be an effective strategy to support communication between students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and their peers. In this clinical case study, the impact of a peer training program at an inclusive primary school in South Australia is explored.

Amelia is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist, with 15 years experience working with people with communication disability across a range of settings. Amelia is currently working as a clinical lead speech pathologist at Novita. In 2015, Amelia completed a PhD, which explored how parents of children on the autism spectrum make decisions about interventions for their children. Amelia has a particular interest in inclusive education and is passionate about supporting the inclusion of students who use AAC. In 2021, she completed a Master of Education (Inclusive Education Specialisation) through QUT, and she is a current board member for Inclusive Educators Australia.

India Lennerth, Assistant Director, Inclusive Teaching and Learning, Support and Inclusion Division, Department for Education

Supporting a more inclusive system, starting at tier 1

This presentation highlights the critical role of tier 1 investment in driving sustainable inclusive education reform across education systems. It examines how strengthening universal provision creates equity and aligns with contemporary inclusive education practice. There will be a discussion on current South Australian Department for Education reforms and why the Inclusive Teaching and Learning directorate are starting at tier 1 to develop increased system coherence and impact.  

India is a teacher and leader with the South Australian Department of Education who is passionate about inclusion and providing leadership that ensures all students can access a high quality and inclusive curriculum in their local schools. She has previously held roles as an inclusive leader and Deputy Principal and foundational Head of Inclusion at a new South Australian Department birth to 12 school. India is nationally certified as a Lead teacher. Before becoming a teacher, India studied a Bachelor of Dance Performance and was involved in performing arts and teaching dance to young people with disability. She is currently working in a system role in South Australia, in the Inclusive teaching and learning directorate.

Chloe Shepperd, Registered Occupational Therapist and Melissa Hudson, Certified Speech Pathologist, Novita

Working in Partnership to Positively Impact Universal Supports for All.

The partnership between Educators and Allied Health Professionals can support all students as part of a multi-tiered system of support. This case study explores the outcomes in a R-12 school in Adelaide’s North.

Chloe is a Registered Occupational Therapist with 13 years of clinical experience across a range of settings including Paediatrics, aged care and in patient hospital. Chloe is passionate about working in early intervention and supporting clients holistically in their natural environments. Chloe is currently working as a Senior Occupational Therapist at Novita.

Melissa is a Certified Speech Pathologist, with 3 years of clinical experience in Paediatrics. Melissa has a background in nursing. Melissa is passionate about early intervention, helping children find their voice and supporting multimodal communication across environments. Melissa is currently working as a Speech Pathologist at Novita.

OUR CHAIR

Perry Rush, Director, Inclusive Teaching and Learning, Department for Education

Perry is the Director Inclusive Teaching and Learning at the Department for Education South Australia. Perry was the former Director of the National Centre for Educational Leadership at Tui Tuia, University of Auckland and recently the National President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (2020-2021) with a 33-year career as a teacher and principal. Perry was the Principal at Hastings Intermediate and Island Bay School in Wellington and was the foundation Director at the innovative Discovery 1 School in Christchurch. He launched Tawa School City Site, a satellite campus in Wellington’s CBD, and was the spokesperson of BTAC-the Boards Taking Action Coalition. Perry is a founding Board member of the Primary Principals’ Collective Bargaining Union (PPCBU). He has held the position of Practice Partner Director of the Learning Schools collaboration with Te Pūtahi, Woolf Fisher Research Centre. Perry is an innovator and passionate advocate of student-centred learning and practice-based approaches.

Other event information:

Networking and light refreshments will follow the session from 7.30pm.

This is a public forum and also open to the community, everyone is welcome to attend.