Reference Materials

Ten Steps to Equity in Education

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – 2008
This Policy Brief looks at how to improve equity in education in three key policy domains: the design of education systems, practices both in and out of school, and resourcing. It proposes 10 steps which would help reduce school failure and dropout rates and make society fairer. Provides a global perspective.
(oecd.org)

AboutFace

AboutFace seeks to advocate on behalf of those touched by facial differences. This organization is dedicated to changing attitudes and dispelling myths about facial differences in the media, school communities and the general public.
(aboutfaceinternational.org)

Accessibility Handbook

Halton District School Board – 2004
This handbook for educators is designed to increase awareness about barriers for people with disabilities in schools and other board facilities, and to review steps that can be taken to remove those barriers.
(hdsb.ca)

Anti-Oppression Primer

Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation
This primer works well as a jumping off point for introducing the basic concepts underlying anti-oppression work such as racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism and more. To-the-point and useful.
(OSSTF Anti Oppression PDF)

Anti-Oppression Web Tool

Produced by Ontario Public Interest Research Group – McMaster
Anti-oppression/pro-diversity web based tool that can be used to learn about various forms of oppression, and how to engage in anti-oppressive practice. A good jumping off point.
(opirg-gripo.ca)

Autism Ontario

Autism Ontario is one of the largest collective voices representing the autism community. This website has resources, programs, scholarships and links to relevant research studies.
(autismontario.com)

Blind Spot: The Hidden Biases of Good People

Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald – 2013
This book explores the hidden biases that we all carry from a lifetime of experiences with social groups – age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, social class, sexuality, disability status, or nationality – and reviews how these may shape our likes and dislikes, and our judgments about people’s character, abilities, and potential.
(blindspot.fas.harvard.edu)

Cerebral Palsy Guidance

This organization provides answers and assistance to parents of a child with cerebral palsy. Through outreach and education, Cerebral Palsy Guidance aims to build a supportive community that looks at cerebral palsy from a holistic perspective, including information on:
symptoms, causes, treatment, daily living and transitioning to adulthood.
(cerebralpalsyguidance.com)

Critical Components of an Anti-Oppressive Framework

Paul Moore – 200
This article, which appeared in the Journal of Child and Youth Care, reviews the main tenants of an anti-oppression framework. Although written primarily for child social workers, many of the issues raised are relevant to the work of educators.
(cyc-net.org)

Cultural Proficience: Tools for School Leaders

Excerpted from the book, Culturally Proficient Instruction – 2005
This online document proposes that students and their families can access the best of what schools offer if educators can communicate effectively with them, understand who they are and the cultural context from which they come, and perceive and treat them with respect. It goes on to present 4 main tools for developing cultural proficiency leadership skills.
(ocde-tier1.wikispaces.com)

Diversity Links from the Ontario Healthy Communities’ Coalition

Ontario Healthy Communities’ Coalition
This webpage provides links to organizations and resources working towards diversity and inclusiveness in Canada. Useful backgrounder on social inclusion.
(ohcc-ccso.ca)

Eleven Things YOU Can Do to Bring Class Equity to School

Paul C. Gorski
This document provides ideas and strategies for recognizing and including differences in the classroom and establishing a climate of equity.
(edchange.org)

Inclusive Language Guidelines

Halton District School Board – 2007
This booklet recognizes language as a powerful tool that is critical in shapping and reflecting our thoughts, feelings and beliefs. It considers how thoughtful language choice can be used to challenge stereotypes and change attitudes.
(hdsb.ca)

Intersectionality: A Tool for Gender and Economic Justice

The Association for Women’s Rights in Development – 2004
This article reviews the concept of intersectionality as an important tool for analysis and advocacy that addresses multiple forms of discrimination. Helps readers understand how different sets of identities impact on access to rights and opportunities.
(web.uvic.ca)

National Report Card 2008: Inclusion of Canadians with Intellectual Disabilities

Canadian Association for Community living – 2008
This annual report measures Canada’s progress in achieving a fully inclusive society for people with intellectual disabilities. Identifies successful policies and practices and provides indicators demonstrating both accomplishments and ongoing challenges.
(cacl.ca)

Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy: Quick Facts

This document identifies the core principals of Ontario's equity and inclusive education strategy. The full policy is available on the Ontario Ministry of Education's website.
(edu.gov.on.ca)

Teacher's Corner

Understanding Prejudice
This webiste includes more than 2,000 links to prejudice-related resources, as well as searchable databases with hundreds of prejudice researchers and social justice organizations. The Teacher's corner pulls out resources of particular relevence to educators.
(understandingprejudice.org)

Teaching "Diversity": A Place to Begin

Janet Gonzalez-Mena and Dora Pulido-Tobiassen – 1999.
This article discusses ways teachers can encourage respect for diversity and the healthy development of positive identities. The authors recommend teaching diversity by weaving equity issues into the fabric of children's everyday lives.
(imagineeducation.com.au)

Teaching for Social Justice

Deirdre Kelly
The subtitle of this article notes that it is about translating an anti-oppression approach into practice. The author eflects on the importance of social justice education and discusses methods of application for Canadian teachers.
(policyalternatives.ca)