Advocates, an academic and a parent gave evidence with many themes echoing those from the November 2019 hearing on inclusive education.

Witnesses said access to education could be restricted through gatekeeping in enrolment, exclusion from activities, suspension and expulsion, or a student’s regular attendance hours being limited by the school. The Commission heard that students with disability were more likely to be suspended than others – some for weeks at a time. Several witnesses said this ‘battle’ meant parents turned to home schooling.