EDUCATION
Inclusive education begins in our community schools, where all children—regardless of ability—belong, learn, and grow together. When schools are inclusive they uphold every student’s right to access a quality education in their designated school, alongside their peers. Research consistently shows that inclusive classrooms support academic and social development for ALL students while fostering empathy, collaboration, and respect. By valuing inclusive schools, we lay the foundation for communities where everyone has the opportunity to participate fully—both during their school years and throughout their lifetime.
As defined by Inclusive Education Canada:
Inclusive education means that all students attend and are welcomed by their neighbourhood school in age-appropriate, regular education classes and are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of school life.
Inclusive education is about how we develop and design our schools, classroom, programs and activities so that all students learn and participate together.
Inclusive education is about ensuring access to quality education for all students by effectively meeting their diverse needs in a way that is responsive, accepting, respectful and supportive. Students participate in the education program in a common learning environment with support to diminish and remove barriers and obstacles that may lead to exclusion.
Inclusive education is carried out in a common learning environment; that is, an educational setting where students from different backgrounds and with different abilities learn together in an inclusive setting. Common learning environments are used for the majority of the students' regular instruction hours and may include classrooms, libraries, gym, performance theatres, music rooms, cafeterias, playgrounds and the local community. A common learning environment is not a place where students with intellectual disabilities or other special needs learn in isolation from their peers.