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Disability Inclusion – Inclusive education in practice

This page provides case studies of good practice in schools, which schools can refer to, to help build their own inclusive practices.

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Disability Inclusion is ensuring every student at every ability thrives at school and in life.

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Disability Inclusion Program

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Disability Inclusion has been rolled out state-wide across Victoria to all government schools. It involves:

This page provides case studies of good practice in schools, which schools can refer to, to help build their own inclusive practices.

Disability Inclusion Profile

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Hear from Jess, Cindy and Blake from Surf Coast Secondary College about the Disability Inclusion Profile and what it has meant for them.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/792121041?autoplay=0

Disability Inclusion Profile - Surf Coast Secondary College

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Watch how Ballarat Specialist School use the Disability Inclusion Profile to identify student’s strengths, needs and educational adjustments to ensure they have the support they need to thrive.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/816792986?autoplay=0

Transitioning to Disability Inclusion - Ballarat Specialist School

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Murrumbeena Primary School Acting Assistant Principal Fiona Sewell shared how her school used the strengths-based Disability Inclusion Profile to support a child with their transition to school.

Murrumbeena Primary School was the first school to undertake a Disability Inclusion Profile in 2021 as part of the Disability Inclusion reforms.

The profile was completed in a Student Support Group meeting, attended by the child’s parents, kindergarten teacher, 2022 prep teacher, a speech pathologist, Fiona and a facilitator.

‘The parents were anxious,’ Fiona said. ‘Like every parent, they just want the very best for their child.’

The facilitator led the conversation about the child’s strengths and educational needs. The Disability Inclusion Profile helps schools and families identify the educational adjustments schools can make to help a student succeed. The process will, over time, replace the Program for Students with Disability (PSD).

Fiona said the Disability Inclusion Profile process was easy to follow, straightforward and, in this instance, less work.

‘By spending 2 hours with the family we walked away so knowledgeable about the child and what we could do,’ she said. While the child didn’t attend the meeting, they did complete a student voice profile with their parents’ help.

The child’s kindergarten teacher gave further insights and helped the school identify adjustments it needed to make to support the child’s transition to school.

The profile meeting also helped the child’s transition to school.

‘We had the child visit and use the facilities to get them used to the environment,’ Fiona said.

‘We also had their prep teacher visit at kindergarten 3 times, to build that relationship.’

Fiona said the first Disability Inclusion Profile had been positive for the school, the child and their parents.

‘It’s a really valuable, worthwhile experience where you’re all learning about the child and making the school a better place for them, and building relationships at the same time,’ she said.

Reflecting on the beginning of the new school year, Principal Rochellee Plumb added: ‘The student’s smooth transition to school has been a testament to the process and has allowed the family and child to feel comfortable and confident in the new school environment.’

Suzanne Prendergast, Principal of Bellaire Primary School shares her views and advice about the Disability Inclusion Profile process.

‘The first profile meeting was 3 hours and we learnt a great deal about the process.’

For following Disability Inclusion Profiles, the school’s Inclusion Learning Specialist created resources to support the process and worked with staff to have up to date Individual Education Plans, behaviour plans and more.

Suzanne said while the first few profiles were challenging, it was clear that the outcomes for students and their families was positive.

‘It wraps around all possible supports for the students. Including observations leading to recommendations, supports for teachers to assist in their planning and differentiation for the student, great connection with the families, and that all leads to the best possible outcomes for the students.’

Suzanne provided advice to other schools preparing to complete Disability Inclusion Profiles.

She said the appointment of a learning specialist was a great resource in preparing for and completing Disability Inclusion Profiles. There were three key take aways that Suzanne suggested schools focus on to help with the process:

Tier 2 funding

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https://player.vimeo.com/video/886630139?autoplay=0

Disability Inclusion Tier 2 Funding - Improving Inclusive Practice at Patterson River SC

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The leaders at Patterson River Secondary College talk about their planning for Disability Inclusion Tier 2 expenditure and how Tier 2 school-level funding is being used to improve inclusive practice at the school, including:

https://player.vimeo.com/video/889346823?autoplay=0

Disability Inclusion - The Impact of New Tier 2 Funded Roles at Patterson River Secondary College

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Disability Inclusion - Tier 2 funded staff talk about how they are improving practice and student outcomes at Patterson River Secondary College:

The Acting Principal and Disability Inclusion Learning Specialist at Gisborne Primary School explain how they have used Tier 2 funding to improve inclusive practices to cater for the needs of all students.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/842087025?autoplay=0

Tier 2 Funding - Gisborne Primary School

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Yuille Park Community College’s Brett Shillito explains how the school has used their Tier 2 funding to tailor programs for their student needs and coach staff.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/735625990?autoplay=0

Yuille Park Community College

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The school explains how they implemented adjustments in the classroom for a student with a hearing impairment.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/684016911?autoplay=0

Sandringham Primary School

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Improving inclusive practices

This video filmed at Mt Eliza Secondary College showcases inclusive practices and adjustments for students with disability and additional learning needs in a secondary setting.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/944665889?autoplay=0

Inclusive Practices and Adjustments in Secondary Schools - Mt Eliza Secondary College

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Disability Inclusion is also building inclusion within communities. The inclusive ethos of Swan Hill Specialist School is an excellent example of this as they collaborate with schools in the area and build an inclusive school culture for all students.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/943469196?autoplay=0

Celebrating inclusion and collaboration in Swan Hill

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https://player.vimeo.com/video/981656289?autoplay=0

The Mural Mob project – Swan Hill Specialist School

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Amaze has collaborated with other organisations to produce videos and resources to help families, schools and communities better understand inclusive education, and how inclusion benefits everyone. The resources include stories from families, students and teachers who have experienced and participated in inclusive education.

Amaze videos and resources

Inclusion Outreach Coaching

The below case study videos demonstrate the value of the Inclusion Outreach Coaching (IOC) initiative in supporting schools to build inclusive education capabilities and practices. School staff and Inclusion Outreach Coaches (IOCs) from 4 schools speak about their unique experience with the initiative, highlighting its flexibility to suit varying school needs.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/963827536?autoplay=0

Inclusive Outreach Coaching - social media video

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You can view the videos below, or through the IOC website:

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Ascot Vale Heights School

https://player.vimeo.com/video/962943530?autoplay=0

Ascot Vale Heights School

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Lilydale Heights College

https://player.vimeo.com/video/963829337?autoplay=0

Lilydale Heights College

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Marong Primary School

https://player.vimeo.com/video/962932858?autoplay=0

Marong Primary School

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Trafalgar Primary School

https://player.vimeo.com/video/963838440?autoplay=0

Trafalgar Primary School

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Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties)

See how new graduates from the Graduate Certificate program are applying their learning in different settings:

Seville Primary School, featuring Danielle Henderson – Assistant Principal

https://player.vimeo.com/video/1023787424?autoplay=0

Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties): Seville Primary School

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Surf Coast Secondary College, featuring Jacqueline Damen and Katherine Griffin – Classroom Teachers

https://player.vimeo.com/video/1023787450?autoplay=0

Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties): Surf Coast Secondary College

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Keelonith Primary School, featuring Brooke Slopak – RTI/MTSS Intervention Teacher

https://player.vimeo.com/video/1023787374?autoplay=0

Graduate Certificate in Education (Learning Difficulties) Keelonith Primary School

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Learn more about the Program.

Master of Inclusive Education

Staff who have participated in the Master of Inclusive Education Program share their stories.

Learn more about the Program.

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https://player.vimeo.com/video/870934995?autoplay=0

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https://player.vimeo.com/video/870935284?autoplay=0

Wendy Roberts (NEVR): School Inclusive Practice Branch Manager

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https://player.vimeo.com/video/870934835?autoplay=0

Angie Soleman (SEVR): SSS Senior Behaviour Analyst

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https://player.vimeo.com/video/833887939?autoplay=0

Master of Inclusive Education

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https://player.vimeo.com/video/833888393?autoplay=0

Master of Applied Behaviour Analysis - Yarra Me School

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https://player.vimeo.com/video/833887464?autoplay=0

Master of Learning Intervention, specialising in Learning difficulties - Edithvale Primary School

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Macquarie University

Nathan De Goldi, Eastwood Primary School (NEVR)

La Trobe University

Stephanie Viavatenne, Hume Valley School (NWVR)

University Of Newcastle

Carol Sheppard, Warragul and District Specialist School (SEVR)

Resources for schools

Inclusive Education Pathways resources for schools, developed by the Victorian Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC).

Informed by interviews with schools and academics, these factsheets support schools with their inclusive practice and provide case studies, advice about the legislative framework and departmental policy, practical tips and links to resources for the following topics:

Find out more

For more information and to find out when your school transitions to Disability Inclusion, refer to the Disability Inclusion web page on the department’s website.

Education & training

Updated 2 April 2026

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