RESOURCES
Inclusive Education
Curated resources to help you navigate the journey through inclusive education. Quick links, websites, articles, recommended YouTube videos, and a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation to help you find everything you need to advocate effectively .
Know Your Rights in Education
The right of all students with disabilities to access inclusive education without discrimination was recognized by Articles 5 and 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The UN CRPD was ratified by 176 countries, including Canada, and clarified by General Comment No. 4 (the Right to Inclusive Education), released by the UN CRPD Committee in 2016.
"In Alberta, education students with special education needs in inclusive setting is the first placement option to be considered by school boards in consultation with parents and, when appropriate, students. Inclusion, by definition, refers not merely to setting but to specially designed instruction and support for students with special education needs in regular classrooms and neighbourhood schools." Appropriateness, Parent Involvement in Decision-making: "8. School boards must: a. ensure parents have the opportunity for participation in decisions that affect students' education, b. ensure parents have information needed to make informed decisions, c. invite meaningful involvement of parents in planning, problem-solving and decision-making relating to students' special education programming."
Preamble: "WHEREAS recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all persons is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world; "WHEREAS it is recognized in Alberta as a fundamental principle and as a matter of public policy that all persons are equal in: dignity, rights and responsibilities without regard to race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status or sexual orientation;"
Administrative Regulation 3003: Special Education Programming Programming for students with special education needs is delivered in a variety of ways within a range of settings based on individual student need. The first educational placement option considered for educating students with special education needs is within an inclusive setting in their neighbourhood or local schools.
Preamble: "WHEREAS parents have a right and a responsibility to make decisions respecting the education of their children; WHEREAS students are entitled to welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that respect diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and a positive sense of self;"
Administrative Procedures (AP 214) Diverse Learning: "In the district, consistent with Alberta Education mandates, an inclusive setting is the first, and preferred, placement option for instructional programming for students with diverse learning needs. An inclusive setting refers to specially designed instruction and support that occurs in regular classrooms and neighbourhood schools. Consistent with provincial special education standards, decision with respect to programming for a student with diverse learning needs is done in consultation with parents/legal guardians and, when appropriate, students."
Websites
Explore our family resources to get prepared to advocate for an inclusive IEP that reflects your whole child and provides them with access to general education settings, peers, effective supports and services, and meaningful goals. Resources that will be your roadmap to making inclusion real, effective, and sustainable.
Source for Inclusive Education provides foundational, concise and practical information on inclusive education strategies and practices in Canadian schools and classrooms. It is designed to serve teachers, school leaders and parents/families.
Inclusive Education Canada advocates that schools and classrooms within education systems create inclusive, welcoming and supportive learning environments for all students.
Articles
Education Funding in Alberta:
Myth and Fact
Bruce Uditsky writes,
"A district does not have the option or the right to deny a child with special needs an appropriate education on the basis of limited resources.
By law the district is legally obligated to provide the necessary funding and resources required to meet your child's needs. "
Straight Talk About Inclusive Education
Tim Loreman looks to challenge common assumptions and clarify some of the main misunderstanding about inclusion. He examines the definition inclusion, the efficacy of inclusive education, and the issue of parental choice.
I Choose Inclusion
from QPPD
Queensland Parents for People with a Disability, is a family and systems advocacy organization. Supporting parents to have their children educated in local schools alongside non-disabled peers. They assist in developing skills in advocacy and knowledge of the legal frameworks. Parents seeking inclusion need quality information and support to be effective.
Practical Advice for Parents
A unique PowerPoint presentation that equips parents to collaborate effectively with their child’s school team, ensuring their child’s needs remain the focus. It also highlights meta-data research spanning the past 50 years, demonstrating the proven benefits of inclusive education for all students.
Describe your image
Recommended YouTube Videos
Why Inclusion Matters
CRU met with school students, parents, teachers, professionals and people with disability to hear their thoughts on why inclusive education matters.
Community Resource Unit Ltd (CRU) was developed to support grassroots change in Queensland. Its origins lie in a 1987 initiative of Queensland families, professionals and people with disabilities who recognized that legislative change was insufficient to support authentic change for people with disabilities and their families.
How We Do School: British Columbia
British Columbia began its journey to provide education for children with special needs within general school settings in the 1970s. How did policy makers convince both mainstream and special educators inclusive education was the way forward? The Lien Foundation took two Singapore educators - Dr Jacqueline Chung, Academic Director at St James’ Church Kindergarten and Ms Tan Sze Wee, Executive Director at Rainbow Centre which runs three special education schools - to find out what Singapore can learn from them.
JUST LIKE YOU -- Down Syndrome
Explores the life, hopes, challenges and dreams of three kids living with Down syndrome. Elyssa, Rachel and Sam share personal stories to help viewers better understand their condition and why they wish to be treated just like you. Each of our stars has their own talents, characteristics, strengths and challenges. Down syndrome is just one part of who they are and this film identifies how to handle and accommodate differences while celebrating the many similarities our friends with Down syndrome have with their peers.
Including Isaac
Including Isaac is the story of how the determination of the Postma family and hard work of the CLC Network led Isaac to became a valued member of the Byron Center Christian School community despite his severe disabilities. Isaac’s story has served as inspiration for other families who also desire to have their special needs children incorporated into the private school system.