Human Rights Act 1993, s 57
Schools have a responsibility to make reasonable attempts to accommodate you.
What’s reasonable depends on the situation, like how much funding the school can get. Schools don’t have to provide special services or facilities when it’s very difficult to do so. It’s reasonable for the school to apply for extra funding, and work with your parents or guardians to understand how they can support you.
For example, for a school camp, the school wouldn’t be expected to provide accessible toilet facilities for ākonga who use wheelchairs (if the campsite didn’t have one). However, while the school wouldn’t be expected to alter the toilet facilities, they could employ someone to help ākonga with toileting.
The school needs to make sure you are included in all learning activities if it’s safe for you and other learners. You can be excluded if it would be a risk to you or your classmates. There could be a risk if for example, the only available facilities would not be safe for you to use.
Encourage discussion with your teacher and the principal about how they can support you. If you feel you’re facing discrimination because of your disability, you can discuss the situation with someone at the Human Rights Commission who can help you make a complaint if necessary.
Schools can’t refuse to enrol because you have a disability or provide you with less favourable conditions of enrolment, or benefits, than other students.