A real-life example of what ableism and micro-aggressions look like in action Rather than one or two overt, obvious, significant incidents, those of us who are both marginalized and privileged often experience a multitude of micro-aggressions. These wear away at us until we lose our patience with society’s ableist crap, and then people wonder whyContinue reading “This Is What Ableism Looks Like”
Tag Archives: Inclusion Matters
The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Funding
Children whose parents complain the loudest get what they need while others go without When my son was seriously struggling at school, he was being treated poorly and his needs were not being met. As the school year progressed, so did the phone calls, emails, and meetings. Supporting my son and his school took upContinue reading “The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Funding”
I Discussed ADHD On National News
ADHD Education Report Card Reflection The Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC) recently put out a policy paper entitled 2021 Report Card: ADHD in the School System. This paper a 10-year follow-up to a similar report the CADDAC shared in 2010. In response, I and representatives from other agencies were interviewed by CityNews for our perspectives on supportingContinue reading “I Discussed ADHD On National News”
The Pain of Internalized Stigma
February is National Inclusive Education Month I shared this story with the previous Education Minister and received nothing but a form email from his office assistant in response. Now I’m sharing it with all of you, and with our new Education Minister, MLA Wayne Ewasko. By sharing this heartbreaking story, I hope to prevent otherContinue reading “The Pain of Internalized Stigma”
Cultivating Inclusive Classrooms
What it really means to have an inclusive classroom Inclusion is Not a Place. Inclusion is an attitude; it’s an embodied philosophy. Inclusion is borne out of school culture. Inclusion is not simply about physical proximity. It is about intentionally planning for the success of all students. When children with disabilities are lumped into general educationContinue reading “Cultivating Inclusive Classrooms”
An Open Letter to Manitoba’s Minister of Education
MLA Wayne Ewasko, Minister of EducationRoom 168, Legislative Building450 Broadway Winnipeg MB R3C 0V8 Dear Mr. Ewasko, Manitoba parents and school staff wish to welcome you into your new role as Education Minister for our province. It is our hope that your experience as a teacher and guidance counsellor will help you appreciate and better understandContinue reading “An Open Letter to Manitoba’s Minister of Education”
February is Inclusive Education Month in Manitoba
Let’s make this one actually count Please help me demonstrate to MLA Wayne Ewasko and the PCs that inclusion is politically important. Our voices can drive change when we send a strong, united message to politicians. Inclusion is not a “benefit” or a luxury, it is a human right. And a basic one at that.Continue reading “February is Inclusive Education Month in Manitoba”
Inclusion Stories
My story series about inclusion, particularly inclusive education The following is a collection of my stories related to inclusion, particularly as it relates to inclusive schools and classrooms. There’s no use in ranting or complaining about something without putting forth actionable and realistic suggestions for improvement, so I started there, with Cultivating Inclusive Classrooms. It’sContinue reading “Inclusion Stories”
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism in Education
Creating welcoming classrooms, schools, and communities Possibilities This morning I learned that a school division in our province has created a brand new position, Divisional Principal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Services. I also learned that the person hired into the position is an intelligent, highly qualified black woman who is working on aContinue reading “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism in Education”
The Social Model of Disability
How this aligns with the neurodiversity paradigm Where the pathology paradigm asks questions such as “what is wrong with the individual?”, the social model of disability asks questions such as “what are the barriers to accessibility and inclusion?” The social model and neurodiversity paradigm see divergent neurotypes as a benefit to our society in many ways, includingContinue reading “The Social Model of Disability”