OHRC releases policy statement on vaccine mandates
- September 27, 2021
- Amanda Dimilta
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On September 22, 2021, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its statement regarding the Ontario government’s requirement that residents provide proof of full vaccination to access certain public settings, specifically higher risk indoor facilities.
The OHRC states that the mandate is generally permissible under the Ontario Human Rights Code (link), as long as those who cannot be vaccinated are reasonably accommodated. » Read the rest
Have your say and help make K-12 education more accessible for students with disabilities
- September 7, 2021
- Amanda Dimilta
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The K-12 Education Standards Development Committee is asking for feedback regarding its recommendations to the Ontario government for proposed accessibility standards for K-12 education. The initial report drafted by the Committee contains 197 recommendations that are covered across nine broad themes including:
- attitudes, behaviours, perceptions and assumptions
- awareness and training
- curriculum, assessment and instruction
- digital learning and technology
- organizational barriers
- social realms
- physical and architectural barriers
- planning for emergencies and safety framework
- timelines and accountability
You can read this report here (link). » Read the rest
Human Rights Protections Apply—Even in a Pandemic
- April 13, 2021
- Amanda Dimilta
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In the first merits decision of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (“HRTO”) on the role of human rights during the Covid-19 pandemic, Vice Chair Jennifer Scott minced no words. “Human rights protections do not go away in a pandemic.” JL v. » Read the rest
Provincial government provides $7.5M for Geneva Centre training for educators
- January 20, 2021
- Amanda Dimilta
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On January 10, 2021, Ontario announced a $7.5 million investment to “train our education staff to better support students on the autism spectrum and to foster a culture of respect, inclusion and opportunity in our schools”. The training will begin this year. » Read the rest
Ministry of Education Report Regarding ABA at School Pilot Project
- November 9, 2020
- Amanda Dimilta
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In 2017, the Ministry of Education (“MOE”) created what was intended to be a 1-year pilot project for the 2017-18 school year titled “Pilot to Improve School-Based Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder”. You can read about the initiative here. » Read the rest
Ontario’s COVID-19 School Plan Fails Students with Disabilities
- September 16, 2020
- Amanda Dimilta
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In the midst of a global pandemic, the return to school for Ontario students has been a source of anxiety for many parents and caregivers across the province. For students with disabilities, the return to school poses a number of challenges. » Read the rest
Family court orders child of divorced parents to attend school
- September 2, 2020
- Amanda Dimilta
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When parents cannot agree on whether their child will attend school in-person or via remote learning, a court may decide for them.
Such was the case in a family law matter reported in Law Times on August 31, 2020, in which Justice Andrea Himel ordered the child to attend school after finding there was no “unacceptable risk” and after considering the home and work circumstances of both parents. » Read the rest
Charter challenge filed in Quebec regarding the province’s back to school plan
- September 1, 2020
- Amanda Dimilta
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Parents in Quebec are anxious about their province’s back to school plan, which does not require any students to wear masks in class and which only offers a remote learning option to student’s who provide supportive medical documentation. If students do not attend in person and do not provide a doctor’s note, they will not receive an education. » Read the rest
Back to School Update for Private and Independent Schools
- August 27, 2020
- Amanda Dimilta
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On August 25, 2020, education law expert Eric Roher of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP led a discussion regarding school re-opening plans for private and independent schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. The webinar provided a helpful summary of the recent regulations, guidelines and announcements which impact re-opening plans for schools. » Read the rest
OAP extended as government bridges programs currently in place
- January 24, 2020
- Amanda Dimilta
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Today the provincial government expanded the OAP program such that children currently accessing services may have their programs extended until the new needs-based plan comes into effect in 2021:
“If you have an existing behaviour plan, it can be extended with no gap in service up to its current level of intensity, or less where clinically appropriate, until you transition into core services in the new needs-based autism program.” » Read the rest