- Expert panel appointed to review School Education Act 1999 and strengthen access and inclusion for students with disability
- Panel members with extensive skills and experience in disability, human rights and education
- Panel will work alongside an advisory council of people with intellectual disability through the advisory council of Developmental Disability WA
The Cook Government today announced the appointment of an expert panel to guide a review of the School Education Act 1999 and provide recommendations to strengthen access and inclusion for students with disability.
The panel, which has extensive experience in disability, human rights and education, will be chaired by Telethon Kids Institute autism researcher Professor Andrew Whitehouse.
The panel’s initial task will be to examine what has already been shared by children, their families and educators through the numerous inquiries, research papers and reports which have been completed to date across Australia. The panel will also consider what can be learned from other jurisdictions within Australia, as well as overseas.
Later this year, stakeholders including schools, families and other organisations will be engaged to test ideas for potential reforms to the School Education Act 1999 to strengthen access and inclusion for students with disability.
The panel will sit alongside the Developmental Disability WA Advisory Council, whose members are also guiding the review with their lived experience and advocacy expertise.
The review is underway and is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.
Expert Panel Members:
Professor Andrew Whitehouse (Chair)
Professor Andrew Whitehouse is the Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research at the Telethon Kids Institute. He is also the Research Strategy Director of the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC). Professor Whitehouse has acted as an advisor to state and commonwealth governments on policies relating to children with disabilities.
Kane Blackman
Mr Kane Blackman leads Good Sammy, a Western Australian charity that operates social enterprises to create employment opportunities for people with disability. His previous executive roles have been in the Western Australian Government, in private equity and in the resources sector.
Dr Sarah Bernard
Dr Sarah Bernard is an autistic, ADHD Geriatrician at Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Healthcare Group (SCGOPHCG) and a clinical research associate at Curtin University. Dr Bernard serves as a disability inclusion advisor for SCGOPHCG as well as for the Department of Education Disability and Inclusion Advisory Group, representing Square Peg Round Whole WA.
Charmaine Ford
Ms Charmaine Ford brings 29 years of experience as a principal, associate principal, program coordinator, curriculum leader, and classroom teacher across multiple contexts in the public and Catholic education systems and is currently the principal of Newman Senior High School. Ms Ford has been acknowledged throughout her career for providing an inclusive culture that makes families feel confident that their child will be supported, nurtured and included.
Ctia Malaquias
Ms Ctia Malaquias is a senior government lawyer, who has worked for the State Solicitor’s Office for almost two decades. She is an experienced board director and has co-founded several not-for-profit organisations. Her expertise in human rights has been recognised nationally and internationally and she has participated in United Nations processes in relation to the rights and inclusion of people with disability.
Maria Mansour
Ms Maria Mansour is driven to inspire through lived experience and use her skills to affect change for vulnerable cohorts. Maria has worked for the Disability Services Commission in disability related policy roles and various other public service roles over the past decade. Currently, as Principal Policy Officer at the Department of Communities, her portfolio includes the project to reform Western Australia’s disability services legislation.
Anna Steele
Ms Anna Steele is the principal of Mount Hawthorn Education Support Centre and brings 23 years of experience as a principal, associate principal, program coordinator, consultant, and classroom teacher across multiple contexts in the public education system. Ms Steele is recognised for leading quality evidence-based teaching and assessment to achieve optimal outcomes for students with additional needs.
As stated by Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
“I am pleased to formally announce the appointment of the expert panel members to guide the review of the School Education Act 1999 alongside the Developmental Disability WA Advisory Council.
“Their combined experience and expertise will ensure this is a comprehensive review that includes full consideration of the needs of all students with disability, their families and the schools of our State.
“I look forward to receiving the panel’s recommendations to improve access and inclusion at schools so that everyone feels embraced and reaches their full potential.”
