Community Living Ontario

Did You Know?

• The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states that everyone has the right to an inclusive education. Canada was among the first countries to sign the convention.
• The Ontario Human Rights Commission has affirmed that educational services must promote inclusion and full participation.
• Regulation 181/98 of the Education Act in Ontario has called for placement of children who have an intellectual disability in regular classrooms as a first option.
• 67% of Canadian children who have an intellectual disability are not included in a regular classroom. Numbers are thought to be higher in Ontario. Controversial documentation and complications because of labeling make this difficult to determine

Learn More:

• Education for All: K-6
• Ontario Human Rights Code
• Ontario Human Rights Commission Guidelines on Accessible Education
• Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:
• Know Your Educational Rights
• How to Advocate Effectively for your Child
• Arch Disability Law Centre
• Who is responsible for my child’s education? (Ministry of Education)
• The Education Act
• Psychological Testing: What do I need to know?
• Do I need a Lawyer?
• Learning For All: K to 12 – Ministry of Education Policy Document
• Communicating with Your School: Sample letters, tips for communicating with school personnel, assertive communication techniques.
• Resources on collaboration in inclusive education (between teachers and families) VIDEO
• Education and Disability: 
Human Rights Issues 
in Ontario’s Education System
• Shared Solutions - A Guide to Preventing and Resolving Conflicts Regarding Programs and Services for Students with Special Education Needs
• How to Deal With Suspensions
• Safe Schools Legislation: disabilities must be considered before students are suspended or expelled: see Sections 2 and 3 (about “mitigating factors”) at
• Ministry of Education on Suspension/Expulsion
• Ministry of Education: Special Education Website