Disability Inclusion

Disability Inclusion Reform

Last year, we transitioned from the Program for Students with Disabilities (PSD) to Disability Inclusion (DI). This was an unbelievable effort from everyone involved as we completed a staggering 50 Disability Inclusion Profile Meetings (DIPM). In 2025 we look forward to completing around 80 DIPM adding in additional priority cohorts. All students at Jackson School must have a diagnosis of an intellectual disability in the mild range (FSIQ between 50-70). Most of our students are currently funded under the Program for Students with Disabilities under the Intellectual Disability Category. A small number of students are on an alternate placement funded under PSD in the ASD category.

For staff new to Jackson School, the 6 Domains and 31 Activities that make up the Disability Inclusion Domain Table are shown in the table below. Click on the table below to access the updated Supporting Information Guidance for Schools. 

This year we will work to incorporate the Profile Adjustments and Supporting Information Summary Tool (ASIST) which staff have completed in preparation for their DIPM into our exisiting Jackson Learner Profile document. This along with support documentation will be transitioned into a new section of Xuno under the "Student Maps" tab from your staff login page. This is to reduce staff double handling this information as evidence.

To download the Jackson School Disability Inclusion Domain Table, please click on the button below:

For more information, please visit: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/learningneeds/Pages/disability-inclusion.aspx 

Sue Larkey Professional Learning

We have partnered with Sue Larkey to provide professional learning to staff on our third Curriculum Day at the start of Term 2. This will develop our collective knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity and give us strategies and adjustments to meet our students' complex learning needs.

The priority at the start of term is getting to know your students and establishing clear classroom expectations and routines. Below are some tips from Sue Larkey which may help create a positive learning environment with your students. Your Leading Teacher, Learning Specialists and Allied Health are also available to support as required. 

Sue also has tips and tricks for Education Support Staff:

Click here to view other tip sheets from Sue Larkey (Portal Login Required)

SSGs: Translation Services

As mentioned in the School Update on the 19th of November, the Department has partnered with a new interpreting and translation services provider, All Graduates Interpreting and Translating, to provide interpreting and translation services to schools starting January 1 2025. This has replaced Language Loop.

Interpreting and translation services are available to parents and carers who have limited or no English language skills to communicate key information about their child’s education, such as for parent-teacher interviews (SSGs) or other one-to-one meetings.

We also offer interpreting and translation services for other school communications on iNewsletter, Xuno, SeeSaw and our website.

The most efficient method to make onsite, telephone and video interpreter bookings is via the All Graduates Client Booking Portal (https://bookings.allgraduates.com.au). 

Our login details are: 

Username: jackson.sch@education.vic.gov.au 

Password: RacO3xd

To request an On-Demand Telephone Interpreter, call the dial-in IVR phone number 03 8104 9006, enter the following PIN number 23978951 and follow the prompts.

Click here to download the School Pack:

The All Graduates School Pack contains:

• Contact Directory
• On-Demand Telephone Interpreting for Professionals Instructions
• FAQ Working with Interpreters
• FAQ Pre-Booked Video & Telephone Interpreters
• How to Submit a Translation Request (DOCX)
• School Translation Request Form (DOCX)

For further information regarding the new interpreting and translation services provider, All Graduates Interpreting and Translating, please refer to the Interpreting Information folder on FileDrive.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national approach to providing individualised support and services for people with a disability. Many of the students at our school have or will commence the process of becoming NDIS participants. NDIS is an extremely valuable program for all of our students and will allow our families to access external therapists, programs and support in the home.  

Please find below the guidelines for Victorian Government schools and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funded therapists. A family may request that an NDIS funded therapist: 

• observes their child in the classroom or in the school environment (upon submission of Therapy Request Form, Parent Consent Form, Principal Approval and supporting documentation*)
• attends a Tier 3* Student Support Group (SSG) meeting to monitor and tailor the support they provide to their child (upon request to the Principal/Nominee)

NDIS is a national health initiative, so due to these practical, legal, and educational conflicts, NDIS therapy will generally not be permitted during educational time at school. In some circumstances, families may request for an NDIS funded therapist to deliver therapy at school. The decision to approve these requests rests with myself as the school Principal in consultation with the School Council.  This is generally for Allied Health services that the school does not provide, for example, physiotherapy.

To ensure educational programs are not disrupted, our teaching and Allied Health staff are not directly available to support with NDIS requests. Bernadette O'Sullivan (Leading Teacher) is our NDIS Coordinator and is able to provide families with letters of support and copies of any previous assessments to support their application. No new assessments will be completed for the purpose of NDIS. 

If your child is already an NDIS participant and you would like support with your planning meetings, Bernadette can provide you with a pre-prepared document with guidance about what to discuss at your planning meeting. No individual documents will be created for each individual family. 

All therapy in schools or document requests related to NDIS must be directly through Bernadette O'Sullivan. 

The Local Area Coordinator (LAC) is the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL). Their team is there to help families to access NDIS, and community and government supports. To contact BSL telephone 1300 275 634, email ndis.info@bsl.org.au, or visit https://ndis.bsl.org.au/service-areas/brimbank-melton.  

If families would like more information or support with accessing NDIS, please contact our NDIS Navigator, Christine Tidswell.

eHelp: SSGs / Meeting iPad Notes Transcription

As part of the new iPad iOS 18 software update, in the Notes app, you can record audio and have the spoken words transcribed to text. You can search the transcript, add the text to the note, or copy the text to other documents. This will be a huge timesaver for staff in typing up meeting minutes, particular at SSGs which are used as DIP evidence. 

For more information, watch this short video: