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
University of Waterloo Discriminated in its Admissions Decision, Court of Appeal Upholds
- January 11, 2021
- Laura Lepine
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The Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld a decision recognizing that students with disabilities are entitled to substantive accommodation when applying to university.
This decision confirms that university admission processes are not exempt from human rights obligations: where admissions standards adversely impact students with disabilities, universities must accommodate those students, or show that it would be an undue hardship to do so. » 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
David Baker Receives the 2020 Gerry Bloomfield Award
- October 9, 2020
- BakerLaw
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Bakerlaw’s David Baker has been honored by Autism Ontario as a recipient of the 2020 Gerry Bloomfield Award for his outstanding professional contributions to the field of Autism Spectrum Disorders. David has and continues to act as an advocate for families of children on the autism spectrum on human rights matters, particularly in the areas of education and intervention. » 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
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
Free online Autism Law Hub with resource library
- January 30, 2020
- BakerLaw
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The Autism Law Hub is an online resource with the mission to assist people who have autism in accessing healthcare treatment, education, employment, and community life.
Within the Hub, the National Autism Law Center works to enforce and expand the legal rights of individuals with autism. » Read the rest
Human Rights Day 2019
- December 10, 2019
- BakerLaw
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Today marks the 69th annual Human Rights Day, which celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as put forth by the United Nations in 1948.
This year’s theme for the celebration is “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights.”
On this celebratory day, the United Nations aims to champion “the potential of youth as constructive agents of change, amplify their voices, and engage a broad range of global audiences in the promotion and protection of rights.” » Read the rest
Bring Evidence-Based ABA to school! A guide to advocate for your child’s access to education
- February 20, 2019
- Kimberly Srivastava
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Many children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis suffer from a lack of access to meaningful education. Meaningful access to education is a basic human right. Many school boards refuse to provide Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in the classroom despite the research which demonstrates that evidence based ABA is an effective approach to teach students with ASD and other diagnoses. » Read the rest