Crisis in the Classroom: Students with Disabilities Face Isolation
The report's findings highlight the urgent need for increased funding to improve the special education system, and for the government to take concrete steps to address the crisis facing students with disabilities in Ontario schools, ensuring they have access to a safe and healthy learning environment.
A disturbing report by Community Living Ontario has revealed that 29% of students with disabilities in Ontario schools are being isolated, often behind locked or blocked doors, while 14% are being restrained, highlighting a pressing need for action from the government to address these issues.
The report, titled "Crisis in the Classroom," is based on responses from 541 caregivers and provides updated data on the treatment of students with disabilities in Ontario schools. The findings paint a worrying picture of students with disabilities experiencing regular isolation and restraint, with many caregivers reporting that their children were isolated more than ten times. In some cases, caregivers first learned of the isolation from their child, not from school staff.
Experts are calling for increased support in classrooms to make schools safe and healthy places for students with disabilities. The report provides detailed recommendations for the Ontario Ministry of Education to implement changes, including hiring more special education teachers and providing more resources for students with disabilities. Advocates are urging the Ontario government to address the crisis, citing a lack of funding and inadequate supports.
The situation is not new, but the report provides a stark reminder of the need for immediate action to ensure that students with disabilities receive the support and care they need to thrive in the classroom. By implementing the recommended changes, the Ontario government can help create a more inclusive and supportive education system for all students.