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Registration Open!

16th Annual National Policy Forum on Inclusion

What’s holding us back? The future of inclusive education in Canada

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Hosted by Inclusion Canada & People First of Canada

 

3-part virtual event via Zoom webinar

Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 7pm-8:30pm Eastern

Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 7pm-8:30pm Eastern

Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 7pm-8:30pm Eastern  


This year’s policy forum will be a 3-part virtual series exploring the realities of inclusive education in Canada. The series will bring together self-advocates, family members, educators, and policy experts. Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities says that people with disabilities have a right to an inclusive education at all levels. We will explore what gets in the way of these rights in Canada and highlight examples of how we can overcome these barriers together. 


Format: 3-part virtual event via Zoom webinar. The forum will include a series of panels and interactive Question & Answer periods. Panels include perspectives of lived experience from people with an intellectual disability and families, as well as research and policy expertise.


Your ticket gives you access to all 3 sessions. A recording of the event will be provided to everyone who registers.



HANDOUTS

Part-time school has a full-time impact: The realities of partial day schooling 

November 5, 2025, 7:00pm-8:30pm Eastern


7:00pm Welcome, housekeeping & land acknowledgement

  • Donna Brown, President, People First of Canada


7:05pm Setting the stage

  • Moderator: Gordon Porter, Executive Director, Inclusive Education Canada


7:15pm Panel Presentations

  • Niko Pupella, Council President, Community Living Ontario

  • Anna MacQuarrie, Parent, Vice-President, Inclusion NS

  • Tracy Humphreys, Disabled Parent, Director of Operations, Family Support Institute of BC

  • Shawn Pegg, Director of Social Policy & Strategic Initiatives, Community Living Ontario

  • Jess Whitley, Professor of Inclusive Education


8:00pm Question & Answer 


8:25pm Session 1 Closing

  • Shelley Fletcher, Executive Director, People First of Canada

 

Behind closed doors: A call to end seclusion and restraint in schools

November 12, 2025, 7:00pm-8:30pm Eastern


7:00pm Welcome, housekeeping & land acknowledgement

  • Moira Wilson, President, Inclusion Canada

 

7:05pm Setting the stage

  • Moderator: Karla Verschoor, Inclusion BC 


7:15pm Panel Presentations

  • Jennifer Grol, President, People First of Ontario 

  • Nicole Renaud, Parent and Advocate, Alberta

  • Kelly Lamrock, New Brunswick Advocate

  • Nadine Bartlett, PhD, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba


8:00pm Question & Answer 


8:25pm Session 2 Closing

  • Krista Carr, CEO, Inclusion Canada

 

The ripple effect: How inclusive education changes lives and communities

November 19, 2025, 7:00pm-8:30pm Eastern


7:00pm Welcome, housekeeping & land acknowledgement

  • Shelley Fletcher, Executive Director, People First of Canada

 

7:05pm Setting the stage

  • Moderator: Jacqueline Specht, Professor and Director, Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education, Western University

 

7:15pm Panel Presentations

  • Jolene Nelson, Chair, People First of Canada Youth Committee

  • Cathy Laycock, Parent, Alberta

  • Candace Kennon, Parent, Saskatchewan

  • Jillian Power, Owner/Operator, Shooting Stars Daycare

  • Ross Meacham, Principal, Riverbend Gikinoo'amaagewigamig


8:00pm Question & Answer 


8:25pm Session 3 Closing

  • Krista Carr, CEO, Inclusion Canada

 

Additional Information: All times are in Eastern Time. The forum will be held in English. Simultaneous French interpretation and English and French CART will be provided.


Important: ASL and LSQ will be available upon request. Please identify that you require ASL or LSQ when you register, and no later than October 28, 2025. 

ASL and LSQ interpreters are in high demand. It's important to us that community members have access to interpreters in their daily lives for things like medical appointments, education, and legal processes. Understanding that access to interpretation is a valuable and limited resource, we will book interpretation only when a need for it is identified.


For questions about this event, please contact: forum@inclusioncanada.ca 

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