A number of learning activities for both students and staff are putting a spotlight on accessibility and inclusion for all.
For example, at Brentwood Park Elementary, a Grade 6/7 class has been exploring what accessibility and inclusion mean and why it matters to the whole community.
Matteo Z. is a student in the Division 4 class:
“We鈥檙e creating symbols about the importance of including everyone in our society.鈥
The children focused their learning through designs they created as part of the Easter Seals in advance of National AccessAbility Week.
Student Jaclyn H:
鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the drawings I鈥檝e done, which include lots of detail. I worked to include the idea of inclusion, diversity, equality and accessibility.鈥
Across Canada, National AccessAbility Week takes place from May 26 to June 1. This year’s theme is “Forward Together: Accessibility and Inclusion for All.”
Division 4鈥檚 teacher is Deanna Zucchetto:
For AccessAbility Week, it鈥檚 really impactful to talk about how we access education in different ways. When a lot of people talk about accessibility, they mean physical barriers, but there are also cognitive barriers and other types of barriers. We wanted to make sure we included all of that in this learning.鈥
For student Maya G, that message really resonated:
鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of spreading this message of how everyone is welcome.鈥
Student Deniz Y. thinks these kinds of projects are valuable in schools:
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important because when you鈥檙e older it鈥檚 always harder to get something in your mind because as a child you already have that mindset to learn. So, when children are taught this as a kid, they end up knowing that their entire life, and it鈥檚 always good to include and learn how to include and not exclude.鈥澛
The Burnaby School District also shared learning opportunities for staff in advance of National AccessAbility Week. District leaders were provided with an interactive presentation for use at staff meetings and/or professional development days that included information about recognizing accessibility barriers, considering our own roles in preventing barriers, and our collective responsibility as a school district through BC鈥檚 Accessibility Act and related regulations.
Last December, after consultation and input from people with lived experience with disabilities and accessibility, the District launched a comprehensive multi-year plan as part of our work toward making the District鈥檚 learning and working environments inclusive and accessible places for all.
Learn More
Burnaby School District Accessibility Plan 2023-2026
Accessibility in Burnaby Schools
Breaking Down Barriers: New Plan Toward Greater Accessibility
Posted May 2024