The 7th hearing of the #DisabilityRC, into barriers to accessing safe, quality and inclusive school education and life course impacts, is about to start.

I will be live tweeting for @PWDAustralia. Follow here, and tune into the live stream as well: https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/ 

We have begun #DisabilityRC, with Commissioner Mason acknowledging country. Chair Sackville is now beginning his opening remarks, linking this hearing to Article 24 of the #CRPD, and the premilinary hearing on education (Public Hearing 2)

The Chair is recounting how the last hearing, Public Hearing 2 of the #DisabilityRC highlighted the impacts on the life course of people with disability when they don't receive an inclusive and accessible education

The Chair has outlined how #COVID19 has impacted and delayed following up on the preliminary hearing on education (Public Hearing 2), and as advised that Dr Kerri Mellifont QC will be Senior Counsel assisting the Commissioners for this #DisabilityRC hearing

The Chair is outlining 3 important research projects that the #DisabilityRC have published recently. A fantastic one from @RosemaryKayess and @therese_sands.!I will share the links of the three research projects in a separate tweet. The Chair is also outlining recent DRC reports

The Chair is outlining themes, of choice and control, segregation, prejudiced community attitudes, restrictive practices, access to facilities, services and supports, effective advocacy and representation. oversight, comprehensive data and funding as drivers of violence

The Chair is highlighting that behaviours seen as "problematic' need to be understood, as appropriate supports are provided. Failure to do so, impacts significantly on the life course of students with disability #DisabilityRC

Chair clarifies that such support to making education inclusive for students with didsability is subject reasonable adjustments, as defined by Art 2 of the #CRPD. He clarifies the #DisabilityRC's central question in this hearing is how the mainstream education system can do this

Senior Counsel Assisting, Dr Kerri Mellifont QC, is now giving opening remarks at the #DisabilityRC. The hearing will be hearing from approx. 23 witnessess, and she particularly acknowledge students and young people will be giving evidence according to their wishes

Mellifont is also outlining that academic experts, education department officials and advocates will also be giving evidence at this hearing of the #DisabilityRC

Mellifont is clearly highlighting that the potential of people with disability is unable to be unlocked if the education system does not equip them for their lives #DisabilityRC

The majority of students with disability (745, 665 or 95% of students) attend mainstream schools. Therefore, Mellifont advises that this hearing will focus on the experiences of the state mainstream systems primarily #DisabilityRC

Mellifont describes how "challenging" behaviours are often met with disciplinary action, particularly suspensions. These suspensions lead to a long history of disengagement, instead of reasonable adjustments, ultimately leading to trauma and and discontinuing school #DisabilityRC

We're now hearing from Jack at the #DisabilityRC, who feels "restricted by an unbreakable chain". Jack stopped school in year 9, and could barely write his name, due to disengagment and lack of support to receive an inclusive education.

[CONTENT WARNING] This #DisabilityRC hearing will contain stories of abuse, violence, neglect, suicide and self harm. Please mute this thread if these topics are trigerring. You can access support National Counselling and Referral Service via 1800 421 468 or Lifeline on 14 11 13