Submissions cite a disconnect between policies and directions issued from the Ministry of Education and schools, with each school interpreting the rules differently, and often in ways that impact on disabled students and their whānau: “[Some schools said] they didn’t want to single out a group (disabled and neurodivergent students) as being exempt from wearing masks as it would create division and other parents who chose to not wear masks would be angry that they didn’t have the same freedom. This was a very awkward situation for families of disabled children and made them feel very unwelcome in their own school.” (Submission) The variable ways that schools and TEOs support (or do not support) online learning for disabled students who feel unsafe in education settings due to Omicron, was also a feature of many submissions: “Some have been advised by a health professional to remove children/young people from schools, but many schools were not really set up for successful distance learning.” (Submission) In situations where schools or TEOs offer online learning options during Omicron, not all disabled people and their whānau were able to access these due to lack of resources: “For many disabled children the lack of technology and connectivity in their homes has meant that they are unable to carry on learning at home.” (Submission) For disabled students in TEOs, the supports that were available for earlier stages of the pandemic have disappeared under Omicron. This includes financial support and the ability to borrow an increased amount of course-related costs through the student loan scheme: “In 2020, the amount that a student could borrow through Student Loan through course-related costs increased. This was in recognition that studying online, or from home, came with extra costs. In line with the assumption that students would return to campus, this has not been continued in 2022. This has caused hardship, especially among disabled students who are still often studying from home due to their heightened vulnerability to COVID-19. This means students may not be able to afford basic study necessities such as access to WIFI, adequate technology, and also utilities such as heating.” (Submission) 38 Inquiry into the Support of Disabled People and Whānau During Omicron