This is a nationally consistent approach to data collection on school students with disability will help governments, schools and education authorities better understand the needs of students with disability and help them to reach their full potential.

Not enough is currently known about students with disability at the national level to enable governments target support and resources in schools to help all students to reach their full potential.

A nationally consistent approach to collecting data on students with disability will give governments, schools and education authorities information about how many students with disability study in Australian schools, where they are located and the level of adjustments provided for them to participate in schooling on the same basis as other students.

Visit: http://education.gov.au/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability 

Children with Disability Australia: This paper draws on over 170 research papers and discusses the considerable body of evidence that demonstrates the benefits of inclusive education for all students.

Taking a rights-based approach, the paper focuses on developing a clear understanding of inclusive education and identifying strategies to enhance the education of all children in Australia. 

All children and young people in Australia have a right to an inclusive education. This right is enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Despite the recognition of this right in Australia it is still common for students with disability to be denied this experience. 

For students with disability, there are entrenched barriers to receiving an inclusive education in Australia, often relating to discriminatory attitudes. Disability is associated by many with low expectations, and notions of burden and charity, rather than real participation, particularly in education. 

Electronic copies of the issues paper are available for download from http://www.cda.org.au/cda-issue-papers  

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This report published by the National Health Performance Authority (NHPA) should remind the nation and its governments of the critical and urgent need for effective approaches to reduce rates of smoking in rural and remote areas.

All seven Medicare Local areas with the highest rates of adults who smoke on a daily basis are country regions. Whereas the national average in 2011-12 was 16 per cent, the rate in those seven rural and regional areas varies from 23 to 28 per cent.

Some of the programs currently in operation, particularly those targeted at reducing rates of smoking and its uptake among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, have shown early signs of success. It is imperative that these programs remain in operation with guaranteed support and the successful models extended to additional areas and population groups.

The National Rural Health Alliance is also calling for urgent research and follow-up action to put in place health promotion activities which work well in rural and remote areas. Clearly as a nation we are doing many things right where anti-smoking is concerned but country people are again missing out. 

More information: http://ruralhealth.org.au/media-release/new-report-very-serious-situation-smoking-rural-and-remote-areas  

Report PDF: http://ruralhealth.org.au/sites/default/files/media-files/mr25octnhpareportfinal.pdf