How We Work

Inclusive Education

Inclusive Education Canada (IEC) is a national initiative of Inclusion Canada working to achieve full inclusion of children and adults with an intellectual disability in education settings, from early childhood learning through to post-secondary education. IEC brings together a network of professional associates who share a commitment to quality education and inclusion. The network shares its expertise with families, parent groups, teachers, school districts, and ministries of education. Fewer than 50% of children with an intellectual disability in Canada are in fully inclusive school settings. Students are excluded from educational field trips, school dances, gym class, and other learning opportunities. Families struggle to find inclusive daycares and afterschool programs. Graduates face barriers to accessing funding for college or university. We’re working to change that. This year we: • Produced 20 episodes as part of the “Let’s

Chat about Inclusive Education” series. This ongoing webcast series brings informed and diverse perspectives on the challenges, the progress, and the issues related to inclusive education in Canada. • Hosted a live Question & Answer session with Inclusion International and Inclusive

Futures (UK) on inclusive education. • Developed and coordinated 4 national

Working Groups to address the issues and challenges impacting successful inclusion in schools. Participants include

IEC Associates and people with lived experience. • Collaborated with the Canadian Council of

Montessori Administrations by: — participating in the Montessori educators conference — delivering a 3-session professional learning course on inclusion for school leaders, in collaboration with Brock University — establishing an agreement for an ongoing partnership • Participated in 5 national and 6 international conferences and seminars. This included events in New Zealand, Spain, the United

Kingdom, Colombia, Argentina, and a 3-nations group in Africa. • Welcomed 4 new members to our national Network of Inclusive Education

Associates. Our associates work collaboratively to advance knowledge and support inclusive education initiatives in communities across Canada.

“It is so important to support the teachers who are trying to implement inclusive education practices in their classrooms. Teachers believe that they can do it, but many of them just need some support, ideas or coaching on how to use the tools and ideas that they have to maximize their time so that they can provide all of their learners with the best environment in the classroom.”

– Tiffany Gallagher, Professor,

Brock University, Episode 20

“Let’s Chat About Inclusive

Education”

Inclusion Canada hosted 5 federation roundtables to share information and develop strategies to advance inclusive education from coast to coast to coast.