How do Catholic schools cater for students with disabilities?
Each of the Catholic school authorities has guidelines for the enrolment of students with special learning needs, for example, students with intellectual, visual, physical or hearing impairment. Each school has an enrolment process which is designed to be thorough and fair in assessing the needs of students at the time of enrolment. The purpose of the enrolment process is to ensure the best possible support can be provided for these students. State census data in February 2006 shows there are 2,222 students (2% of totalenrolments) who meet the definition of having special needs enrolled in Queensland Catholic schools. Significantly, the number of students with disabilities being educated in Catholic schools in Queensland has increased by 15.1% from 2005 to 2006. The Queensland Catholic Education Policy on INCLUSIVE PRACTICES IN QUEENSLAND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS states: “Queensland Catholic education continues to be challenged to respond to the needs of all in its learning community. Learning
