Dyslexia and the Law in Australia
Australian Dyslexia Association
The ADA states in http://dyslexiaassociation.org.au/what-is-dyslexia that “dyslexia is recognised in Australia under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and under the Human Rights Commission. The Australian Working Party have produced a document “Helping People with Dyslexia: A National Agenda” which outlines key recommendations.”
Please refer to these documents:
- Dyslexia Working Party’s report: “Helping People with Dyslexia: A National Agenda” Australia (Auspeld)
- Australian Government’s Response to “Helping People with Dyslexia: A National Agenda” Australia
Australian Human Rights Commission
Federal Discrimination Law:
Chapter 5: The Disability Discrimination Act
PDF and DOC versions of the Act are available online https://www.humanrights.gov.au/federal-discrimination-law-chapter-5-disability-discrimination-act
See also:
State and Territory Anti-discrimination and Equal Opportunity Agencies
See also:
https://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/the-law
https://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/the-law/equal-opportunity-act
DET Department of Education and Training
Dyslexia is included as a disability under the DDA 1992 section f as stated in the document Disability Standards Education (2005):http://education.gov.au/disability-standards-education“: “The Disability Standards for Education 2005 clarify the obligations of education and training providers, and seek to ensure that students with disability can access and participate in education on the same basis as other students.”
DSM-5
DSM-5 and Dyslexia fact sheet including DSM-5 in an Australian Context
Dyslexia Support Australia (DSA)
Belinda Dekker‘s fact sheet on Dyslexia and the Law in Australia
SPELD VIC
Advisory and Advocacy Services
http://www.speldvic.org.au/advisory-advocacy-services/
Victorian Curriculum & Assessment Authority (VCAA)
Special Examination Arrangements for VCE external assessments
VCAA has a PDF available for download
Specific Learning Disorders
“The VCAA has adopted the following operational definition of a Specific Learning Disorder for the purposes of granting Special Examination Arrangements: Specific Learning Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a biological origin. Students with this disorder possess specific cognitive processing deficits that cause difficulties with learning and using academic skills and manifest in persistent problems with one or more of the following:
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- Inaccurate or slow and effortful word reading
- Understanding the meaning of what is read
- Spelling
- Written expression
- Mastering number sense, number facts or calculations
- Mathematical reasoning.”
More information: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/exams/specialprovision/specialexams.aspx#specific