On December 3rd, we mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. We’ve come a long way but people with disabilities still face barriers to inclusion in the workplace, in schools and in our society. Many aspects of disability result directly from the barriers presented by the design of our society rather than being reflective of the ability of an individual to contribute to society.
Choosing Resources to Represent Disability in the Classroom.
As educators, most of us have taught a student with a disability. We are well versed in and aware of the range and types of accommodations that are made for students every day. We also work with colleagues who have disabilities.
Everyone Is Able Launch
As a teacher federation, ETFO has a lot in common with other unions and teacher federations.
One of the biggest challenges ETFO provincial and local offices face is convincing members with disabilities to come forward and request the accommodations they need. Sadly, the prevailing culture in schools and in our broader society does not always foster this kind of disclosure.
Re: Disabled or Enabled? Turning challenges into an asset (December 2010)
“Slowly but surely we are leaving behind antiquated ideas of disability as tragedy.”
When Cheryl MacMillan was 11 years old she and her family discovered she was deaf. The revelation changed her life — not for the better.
You may not have a disability now but you will probably have one eventually. That makes persons with disabilities “the minority of everyone,” says David Lepofsky.