Domain 7: Accessible Education

Only 20% of Canadians with disabilities have a university degree compared to 41% of non-disabled Canadians.^[1]  Yet, Article 24 of the UN CRPD asserts that every person with a disability has the right to “inclusive, quality and free” education on an equal basis with others, no matter their disability, gender, race and socio-economic and cultural background.^[2]  Article 24 is very clear that educational institutions at all levels – primary, secondary, and tertiary – “employ teachers, including teachers with disabilities, who are qualified in sign language and/or Braille, and to train professionals and staff who work at all levels of education. Such training shall incorporate disability awareness and the use of appropriate augmentative and alternative modes, means and formats of communication, educational techniques and materials to support persons with disabilities.”^[3]  This means that all administrators, teachers, professors, instructors, and educational support workers must not just be required to accommodate, but must undertake training or professional development to better understand disability and accessibility needs and requirements.

To further explore Domain 7: Accessible Education, click to explore the sub-domains below:

Accessing Specialized Education for Neurodiversity

Systems Snapshot: Accessing Academic Accommodations

Educational Adaptations