Teachers and students are being encouraged to think about how they can improve school facilities for students with disabilities or special needs, with round four of the Inclusive School Fund now open.

Member for Werribee Tim Pallas encouraged schools to be creative and innovative with their ideas to make interesting and stimulating learning and play spaces.

To be eligible for Inclusive Schools Funding, schools are encouraged to come up with projects based on their existing facilities and the needs of their students with disabilities.

Some of the previously funded projects have included indoor inclusive learning spaces, outdoor sensory areas and accessible playgrounds.

The $20 million Inclusive Schools Fund was established to help government schools build new facilities to better support the social and educational needs of children with a disability.

Under the previous three rounds, two projects have been funded in the Werribee electorate with schools receiving up to $200,000 for their creative projects.

Round four of the funding will deliver $6 million to schools across Victoria.

The Inclusive Schools Fund is one of nine initiatives in the Special Needs Plan for Victorian Schools to ensure that students with disabilities and special needs get the same opportunities as other students.

This includes the annual Accessible Buildings Program, which provides government schools with funding for facilities to support students, parents and teachers with injuries or disabilities.

The Inclusive Schools Fund grants are in addition to funding of $155.8 million announced in the Victorian Budget 2016/17 to improve the facilities available to students with special needs, including $58.5 million to upgrade 20 special schools across Victoria.

Victoria is investing more than $5 billion to build the Education State where every person, regardless of their circumstances and location, can have access to a great education.

Applications close on 20 April 2018. The program guidelines can be downloaded at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/inclusive.aspx The application form may be found at https://vsba.smartygrants.com.au/

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“We are getting on with the job of creating an environment in our schools where all students feel a sense of connectedness and where all students can participate on the same basis.”

“Inclusive education is so vital because it gives students with disabilities and special needs the same opportunities as everybody else so that no one misses out.”

“This Fund is helping make our schools even better for students with disabilities and special needs.”13