Preschools and schools are responsible for providing reasonable adjustments so that students with disability can access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers.

Adjustments are changes to teaching, learning environments, resources or the support provided to help students participate successfully.

These may include:

• adapting teaching approaches, learning activities or classroom environments to meet individual needs
• providing additional support to help students participate in learning and school activities
• using specialised resources, equipment or communication supports
• supporting students to develop independence, communication and social connections
• building the knowledge and skills of educators to respond to students' individual learning and support needs.

IESP provides additional resources to help preschools and schools plan and deliver more targeted or intensive adjustments for students who need them.

IESP is based on a student's functional needs – how their disability affects their participation in learning and the adjustments they require – rather than their disability diagnosis alone.

Teachers and preschool educators work with families and, where appropriate, other professionals to understand each child's strengths, needs and goals.

This information helps educators identify the adjustments that will best support the child or young person to participate in education.

For students who require more targeted or intensive support, preschools and schools can seek additional funding through the IESP.

The level of support is informed by the student's individual needs, the adjustments required and the evidence available about how they participate in their learning environment.

The department provides IESP funding to government preschools and schools in different ways.

Some funding is provided directly to schools via annual grants to strengthen inclusive practices and support students with disability across the school community.

Additional funding may also be allocated to support individual students who require more intensive or specialised adjustments.

Schools use this funding flexibly to provide support that responds to students' needs and promotes their participation, learning and independence.

IESP funding is provided to preschools and schools to support inclusive education. It may be used to provide additional adult supports e.g. from an SSO – but is not an allocation of a particular staff member to an individual student .

Parents and carers play an important role in helping preschools and schools understand their child's strengths, interests, needs and aspirations.

Your child's preschool or school will work with you to identify appropriate adjustments and plan the support required for your child to access and participate in their education.

These adjustments may be documented in a personalised learning plan, which can be reviewed and updated as your child's needs change.

Your child does not need to receive individual IESP funding to be entitled to reasonable adjustments at preschool or school. All government preschools and schools have responsibilities to support the access and participation of children and young people with disability.

Special classes are located within some primary and secondary schools and operate inclusively  . Students have opportunities to learn alongside their same-age peers in the school, with fewer students per teacher.

Special classes are an education option for students who:

• have a mild to moderate intellectual disability
• require substantial adjustments to the curriculum and modified learning programs to support their individual learning needs.

Disability units are located within some primary and secondary schools and operate inclusively. Students have opportunities to learn alongside their same-age peers in the school, with fewer students per teacher.

Disability units are an education option for students who:

• have a moderate to severe intellectual developmental disorder
• require specialised and highly modified learning programs to support their individual learning needs.

Special schools are an option for students who:

• have a moderate to profound intellectual developmental disorder
• require a highly specialised and individualised program to foster increased engagement in learning

Special schools focus on fostering social skills, personal care, and independence skills. They may offer long-term enrolments.

Most special schools are located near mainstream schools and provide opportunities for students to learn alongside age-appropriate peers.

Children and students with vision loss, hearing loss or both can access a range of services. Some schools offer specialised programs for those with significant vision and/or hearing loss

• Kilparrin Teaching and Assessment School and Services
• SA School and Services for Vision Impaired (SASSVI)
• Schools for Deaf and hard of hearing children and students

Find out more about schools for Deaf and hard of hearing children and students.

SIES also hosts regular parent forums, bringing together parents and carers of children and young people with disability to share information, explore practical strategies and connect with others.

Parent forums provide opportunities to:

• hear from specialists, guest speakers and people with lived experience of disability
• learn about inclusive education, available services, resources and supports
• explore topics such as communication, wellbeing, transitions, learning adjustments and supporting children at home and school
• connect with other families, share experiences and build supportive networks
• ask questions, provide feedback and contribute perspectives that help inform the department's approach to inclusive education.

Parent forums are designed to be welcoming and informative, recognising the important role families play in their children's education.

Families can also access resources and presentations from previous forums and register to receive information about upcoming events.

• SIES website
• SIES resource centre
• Parent forums and upcoming events

Families can contact SIES on 8235 2871 to find out more about available resources, services and opportunities to participate.