At a cabinet meeting in Tasmania this week, Prime Minister Julia Gillard was approached by the mother of a child with a disability, and urged to direct more money towards this area of need. Gillard acknowledged the necessity for greater focus on this area and that the promised $200 million extra funding for students with disabilities is a move toward this.

Educators across the country were today commended for their commitment to increasing literacy and inclusion through captions. cap that!, a national campaign asking teachers to turn on captions in the classroom, formally acknowledged the commitment of St Anthony’s Primary School, Clovelly (NSW), a major prize winner in the 2011 cap that! competition. The school’s video entry has inspired teachers nationwide to start using the simple tool at their fingertips to improve literacy and learning for students.

The new Schools Disability Advisory Council promises steps towards further inclusion of students with disabilities in mainstream schools. Announced yesterday by Peter Garrett, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, and Senator Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, the Council will provide ongoing expert advice to the Government on how to provide more support and better services for students with a disability.