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November 16, 2003

Catholic church appeals school discrimination case

From: ABC Online, Australia - Nov 16, 2003

The Catholic Education Office has lodged an appeal with the Federal Court after the court found a Canberra high school had discriminated against a profoundly deaf student.

Jacob Clark, 16, was forced to change schools because MacKillop College failed to provide tuition for him through sign language.

During the hearing, the court heard the school had offered to provide a note-taker to assist Jacob in the classroom.

The Federal Court found the student had suffered discrimination and awarded him $26,000 in damages.

The Catholic Education Office has lodged an appeal on 34 grounds.

The appeal is expected to be heard by the full bench of the Federal Court early next year.

© 2003 Australian Broadcasting Corporation