TORONTO, ON (August 22, 2023) – Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital (Holland Bloorview) launches its Inclusion Resolution anti-stigma campaign for kids and youth with disabilities and developmental differences. Whether you’re a student, parent or teacher, Canadians are challenged to make a resolution by thinking of at least one meaningful action or change in order to help everybody feel welcome and included at school.

According to UNICEF, disability is one of the most serious barriers to education worldwide. In Canada, according to a 2022 survey by polling firm Leger, only about one in 10 respondents have seen examples of technological, social or systemic disability inclusion in their most recent school or educational institution. This includes things such as the use of voice recognition technology, disability inclusion training or inclusive policy design.

“For many children and youth, schools are their spaces for meaningful social interaction – a chance to build friendships; a chance to learn, apply and share new skills; a chance to belong and a chance to contribute to their communities in ways that matter to them,” says Julia Hanigsberg, president and CEO, Holland Bloorview. “Let’s not deny this opportunity for our children and create classrooms and playgrounds where kids of all abilities can safely and creatively express themselves.”

Seven-year-old Avery loves animals (especially sea creatures), can be quite the prankster, and may be found singing and dancing with friends. She was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Rasmussen’s Encephalitis and if left untreated, Avery would experience ongoing seizures, paralysis on her right side and eventually lose her ability to speak. She has been seizure-free since her life-changing brain surgery and has been working hard during her therapy sessions to build up her ability to walk and talk again.

“Avery loves school and always looks forward to playing with her classmates,” says her father, Norman. “Schools can proactively work with parents to help kids with disabilities maximize their potential. That could look like providing more time to complete tasks or giving instructions bit by bit instead of all at once. Avery realizes that she’ll have to do some things differently, but that she’ll find her own way to accomplish and reach her goals.”

Imagine a world where inclusion is a reality for all students. To support educators, Holland Bloorview, together with the Bloorview School Authority, developed online learning modules to combat ableism in the classroom, on the playground and beyond. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education, Project Inclusion includes the voices and expertise of students, parents, educators, school leaders, as well as community organizations.

Canadians are asked to join the movement and sign the Inclusion Resolution digital wall at inclusionresolution.ca. They can access the Project Inclusion modules, as well as additional tools and resources in our “Inclusion Backpack”. Everyone is also encouraged to share their disability #InclusionResolution on their social media channels.

Inclusion Resolution builds on the success of our award-winning Dear Everybody campaign that brought widespread attention to the importance of disability inclusion.

About Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital believes in creating a world where all youth and children belong. We are the only children’s rehabilitation hospital in Canada focused on combining world-class care, transformational research, and academic leadership in the field of child and youth rehabilitation and disability. We are a top 40 Canadian research hospital that is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. Providing both inpatient and outpatient services, Holland Bloorview is renowned for its expertise in co-creating with clients and families to provide exceptional care and is the only organization to ever achieve 100 per cent in three successive quality surveys by Accreditation Canada. Holland Bloorview is a founding member of Kids Health Alliance, a network of partners working to create a high quality, consistent and coordinated approach to pediatric health care that is centred around children, youth and their families. Together dream big. Together we champion a world of possibility.  For more information or to donate, please visit hollandbloorview.ca or connect on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and the parent-blog BLOOM.

About the survey

From July 29-31, 2022, Canadian polling firm Leger conducted a survey among a randomly selected representative sample of over 1,500 Canadians aged 18 and older using its online panel. The margin of error for the total sample is ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ashley Cruz
Senior Media Relations Specialist
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
acruz@hollandbloorview.ca
C: 647-400-4351