In response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability’s recommendation that special schools be phased by out by the end of 2051, the commonwealth and the states and territories noted it, but did not commit to implementing it.

The inquiry’s two commissioners who live with a disability, wrote as part of their recommendation that segregated education was incompatible with inclusive education.

But the commissioners were split on the issue, with half recommending that new special schools be located near existing mainstream schools and for partnerships between the two to be created to provide regular contact between both groups of students.

Asked about the disappointment expressed by disability advocates at the Government’s response, Shorten backed families having a choice in deciding whether the mainstream system was best for their child.

“I don’t necessarily accept that everyone in special schools is doing it bad,” he told  the National Press Club in Canberra on Tuesday.

“If you were just to take everyone at a special school now and take them to their local high school or primary school, you’re just kidding yourself. It’s not going to happen.

“Some of the debate and some of the rhetoric, does underestimate the contribution of kids, but also their parents to special needs Ed and the teachers who work in those systems.”

The Commonwealth accepted or accepted in-principle 130 recommendations out of 222.

Rhonda Galbally, one of the Commissioners, told ABC’s Melbourne Drive radio program recently that the Government’s response was disappointing.

“We’re condemning generations of children to being in segregated settings, so it’s condemning them to a segregated and a dangerous life,” she said.

Disability advocates have also said they’re devastated by the lack of Government commitment to the inquiry’s findings.

Down Syndrome Australia chief executive Darryl Steff said the segregation in education of those with disabilities has to stop now.

“Students with disabilities deserve the right to be educated alongside their same age peers in an inclusive setting,” he told reporters in Brisbane a fortnight ago.

Segregated education has flow-on effects as many students often do not go on to full employment, he said.

Steff also explained that those who are employed in segregated contexts can be paid as little as $3 an hour, making vulnerable Australians more prone to exploitation.

That tied in with the concerns of some of the commissioners, who indicated special schools were not compatible with disability rights conventions and entrenched segregation later in life.

Only 13 recommendations were accepted in full.

In its official response to the commission, the Federal Government said any decisions on phasing out special schools were best left with states and territories.

AAP