Special education

Special education is about ways of teaching that meet the individual needs of students with disability. All students have the right to take part in the NSW Curriculum. Learn about the adjustments schools are required to provide for students with disability who need them.

Helpful links

Students with disability

Students with disability have a range of abilities and needs. In Australia, it is the law that all schools must support students with disability. Learn what the definition of disability is and the types of disability that students may be living with.

Supporting students with disability in learning

Learn about teaching strategies to use when supporting students with disability to learn. Find out what you can do to provide meaningful and inclusive learning opportunities.

Information and support

Accessing the curriculum

Students with disability can access syllabus outcomes and content in a range of ways. Learn how they can do this with or without adjustments according to their needs.

Collaborative curriculum planning

Choosing the right curriculum options and adjustments for students with disability is a team effort. Find out how the collaborative curriculum planning process works.

Adjustments

Teachers can make adjustments to teaching, learning and assessment activities. They enable a student with disability to access and take part in education on the same basis as their peers. Find out more about adjustments.

Assessment and reporting

Schools must ensure assessment activities, including exams, are accessible to students with disability. Understand what schools must do to make assessment activities accessible and how to meaningfully report student achievement.

Life Skills

Years 7–12 Life Skills courses are options for students with intellectual disability. Find out about eligibility, the courses available, and how Life Skills courses are reported on the RoSA and HSC credentials.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses

Any student, including those with disability, can study a VET course. Find out how students with disability can access VET courses as part of their schooling.

Case studies

Our case studies show how adjustments support students with disability. Read our case studies to see examples of adjustments, including in teaching programs and assessment tasks, to suit the needs of the student.