There is a growing need to support the teaching of students with disabilities and additional learning needs. Support for teachers is provided through the Abilities Based Learning and Educational Support (ABLES) resource, developed by researchers at the University of Melbourne in collaboration with Department of Education, and Early Childhood Development in Victoria. The ABLES approach can be used by teachers in primary, secondary and special schools, where teachers can draw on a set of developmental learning pathways to develop individual learning plans that support student needs (Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2011).

QCAA has arranged for the ABLES resource to be trialled for the first time in QLD schools in 2019, with 20 mainstream and special education schools volunteering to participate in the trial. QCAA has organised for a curriculum leader and a teacher from each school to attend a Professional Development day at QUT, on 15 February, and then use the ABLES approach and resources in their school over the year.