Advocating for Inclusive Education in Vancouver Schools

On January 23, 2025, the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) officially endorsed the Inclusive Education Working Group (IEWG) report through a district-wide PAC vote. The report, titled   Advocating for Equity: A Caregiver-led Examination of Inclusive Education in Vancouver Public Schools,” highlights the systemic barriers that students with disabilities and diverse abilities face and offers recommendations to create a more inclusive environment in which all learners can succeed at the VSB.

Click here to view the Report and Presentation: https://www.vancouverdpac.org/inclusive-education-report/

We hope that the information in this report will be a helpful tool for families in their advocacy for inclusion of their children in VSB schools. 

How You Can Take Action for Inclusive Education

  1. Get Involved in Advocacy Efforts: Join the DPAC Inclusive Education Working Group (IEWG).  This group brings together parents and caregivers to advocate for better policies and practices in Vancouver schools. To get involved, email iewg@vancouverdpac.org.
  2. Contact Your Elected Representatives: Write to your local MLA and send them this report.  Tell them about your children going without services. Advocate for increased accountability and support.  Copy the Minister of Education ECC.Minister@gov.bc.ca to ensure your concerns reach key decision-makers.
  3. Engage With Your School Leadership: Share the report with your school’s administration.  Ask them why your children aren’t getting services if there is a surplus of funding. Bring another parent advocate to the meeting with you for support.
  4. Write to your school trustees and district principals. Their contact information can be found on your school’s website. Ask them:
  • Why are students not receiving the necessary services if funding is available?
  • How many open positions exist for Educational Assistants (EAs) and Resource Teachers (RTs)?
  • What strategies are in place to actively recruit and retain staff?
  • Why are trained educators and support staff commuting to other districts (e.g., North Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Maple Ridge) instead of working in Vancouver?
  1. Stay Informed and Amplify Your Voice
  • Read the latest report from the Representative for Children and Youth: “Too Many Left Behind: Ensuring Children and Youth with Disabilities Thrive”. This report provides additional data and insights on the gaps in special education and inclusion policies.
  • Share your experiences with the BC Ombudsperson. If your child has faced exclusion at school, fill out the BC Ombudsperson’s survey. Click here for more information: https://bcombudsperson.ca/school-exclusion
  • Ask DPAC or your PAC to host speakers on issues related to equity, diversity and inclusion. For example, the BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHCR) offers workshops on systemic discrimination that can be requested through an online event request form.
  1. Mobilize Your Community: Encourage other families to take action. Share this report with other parents, caregivers, and educators. The more voices join the conversation, the stronger the advocacy for systemic change.
  2. Attend DPAC and PAC meetings. Advocate for each PAC to have a ‘JEDI’ position dedicated to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and for inclusive education to remain a priority on the agenda. Engage with other parents and work collectively to demand solutions.
Join Vancouver DPAC today and empower your voice in shaping our district's education!

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