Students are struggling. Teachers are struggling. Families are struggling. Struggling with a system not built for them to thrive.

Despite strong legislation, including the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the Disability Standards for Education 2005, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, students with disability and neurodivergence continue to face barriers to accessing a truly inclusive education.

We witness:

• Teachers entering the profession without training in inclusive or neurodiverse response practice.
• Schools struggle to meet legal obligations due to lack of funding, support, and professional development.
• Students being excluded (subtly or overtly) from full participation in learning and school life.
• Teachers and leaders who care deeply but are underprepared and unsupported.

This is not due to unwillingness, but to systemic under-resourcing and a lack of accountability. The intention is there. The implementation is not.

We call on Federal and State governments to take urgent action by:

1. Making inclusive education training mandatory in all pre-service teaching programs and ongoing professional learning for current educators.
2. Strengthen enforcement of the Disability Standards for Education through improved monitoring, clear complaints pathways, and school accountability frameworks.
3. Classrooms designed for neurodiversity from the start - not reliant on reactive, inconsistent adjustments.
4. Increasing funding and coaching support to ensure schools can meet the individual needs of learners, without relying on individual educators and parents to fill the gaps.
5. A commitment to turn the Royal Commission into Disability's recommendations into real, lived change in every classroom.

Australia has the legislation. We now need the leadership and investment to turn inclusive education from a policy into a lived reality.

We need national action - because inclusive education is not just a policy goal. It's a human right.

We invite education professionals, allied health professionals, families and allies across the country to join us in calling for urgent reform! Sign this petition so every child, in every school can belong and thrive.

*TELL YOUR STORY IN THE COMMENTS! 

We would love to hear from you about your story. Let's make some noise - EVERY BRAIN BELONGS!