Connecting to Support Exceptionalities: Special Education Advisory Committee
Background: Special Education Advisory Committee
Under Ontario’s Education Act, every student is entitled to a program which meets their needs. In Durham, our Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) serves as a connection point for our families of exceptional students and helps the Board protect the rights of students with special learning needs. SEAC provides information, advice and assistance to parents/guardians whose exceptional children may require additional support. SEAC advises and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the establishment and development of special education programs and services.
Our exceptional students are those whose behavioural, communicational, intellectual, physical, or multiple exceptionalities are such that the student needs a specialized placement or support as identified by the Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (I.P.R.C.) The mission of the Durham District School Board’s (DDSB) Special Education program is to provide a range of programs, placements, and services for students with special needs in a supportive environment which enables them to develop to their full potential. Our on-going commitment is to provide the structures and support each student needs to foster their growth and development in programs which promote integration and independence as defined for each student based on their strengths and needs.
SEAC meetings are a forum for SEAC members to provide advice and discussion of Board programs and support services for exceptional pupils. Meetings are made accessible to families and community by YouTube livestream; a public gallery is an option for pre-registered guests. Please see our website for more information and links to livestream meetings.
Inclusive Communities: ASL National Anthem Project
At the DDSB, we are committed to truly knowing one another and living the values of our MYSP. A powerful example of this commitment is the creation of an accessible ASL version of O Canada, a project driven by our Inclusive Student Services (ISS) teams in collaboration with Communications.
Clinicians and professional staff who visit our schools daily identified a need: ensuring students who are D/deaf or hard of hearing can participate fully in our national anthem. In response, Speech and Language Pathologists, Educational Sign Language Interpreters, and Language Acquisition Support Workers came together to bridge this gap.
These ISS professionals bring deep expertise in communication, accessibility, and culturally responsive practice. They work alongside students, families, and educators to ensure every learner feels a sense of belonging and sees themselves reflected in our schools.
The outcome of this collaborative effort is a new ASL O Canada video, launching this year to support schools in starting each day and each school year, with greater intention, inclusion, and equity for all.