Walking Toward Freedom: A Family’s Journey to Self-Determination This inspiring document by John O’Brien and Connie Lyle O’Brien shares the remarkable story of Sheri and her parents, Marge and Earl, as they navigate the challenges of creating a life of self-determination for Sheri, who lives with multiple disabilities. It explores their journey to […]
What Can We Count On To Make and Keep People Safe? This insightful document explores how to create effective safeguards for people with developmental disabilities, focusing on building inclusive communities and improving assistance. It highlights the vulnerabilities faced by individuals with disabilities, such as isolation, lack of power, and inadequate support systems, while […]
A Journey to a Meaningful Life, Disability and All This is the remarkable story about the life journey of Paul and Lucinda Hage. Paul was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis, and thus a surprise life journey began. This book portrays a much happier outcome than everyone predicted. It is a no holds barred account of how […]
This heartfelt tribute, written by Adam Bunch, celebrates the life and legacy of his father, Gary Bunch (1938–2024), a pioneer in inclusive education. Born during the Great Depression in Toronto, Gary’s early life was shaped by hardship, mischief, and resilience. From a high school dropout to earning a doctorate, he became a teacher, professor, […]
Becky Belongs: Voices Raised in Support of Integration This heartfelt document is a powerful compilation of voices advocating for inclusive education, centered around Becky Till, a 13-year-old Canadian girl with a disability who has been denied access to her neighborhood school. Through quotes from educators, parents, students, and community leaders across North America, […]
This document dives into the critical conversation around guardianship laws in Canada and their impact on people with disabilities. It highlights how traditional substitute decision-making practices strip individuals with severe intellectual or developmental disabilities of their legal rights, reducing them to “legal nonentities.” Rooted in outdated British law, guardianship often leads to lifelong […]
This document explores the concept of full inclusion for students with challenging needs, emphasizing the integration of all learners into regular classrooms alongside their peers. It highlights the collaboration between parents, educators, and school staff to create tailored social and academic programs that address individual abilities. The study spans three years, tracking the […]
This heartfelt and eye-opening document by Marsha Forest, titled “Out of the Mouths of Babes: A Warning to Us All”, recounts her observation of a Grade 1 classroom in a prestigious Canadian school. The focus is on Tommy, a six-year-old boy with developmental delays, who struggles to find acceptance and belonging among his peers. […]
This inspiring document shares the transformative journeys of two families, the Woronko family in Canada and the Strully family in the U.S., as they advocate for inclusive education for their daughters, Katherine and Shawntell. Born with severe developmental disabilities, both girls initially faced segregated educational settings that limited their growth and social opportunities. […]