Equal educational opportunity for students with disabilities in Canada

• Main Author: Smith, William J., 1947-
• Other Authors: Lusthaus, Charles (advisor), Foster, William F. (advisor)
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: McGill University 1993
• Subjects: Educational equalization > Canada; Educational equalization > Law and legislation > Canada; Students with disabilities > Canada; Canada; Northwest Territories; Yukon; Newfoundland; Prince Edward Island
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=41182

The purpose of this inquiry was to conduct a comparative analysis of the legislative action taken by the government of each Canadian province and territory, as of December 31, 1992, with respect to the provision of equal educational opportunity for students with disabilities. The methodology consisted of a form of qualitative content analysis of the relevant legislative action, validated by provincial representatives, complemented by a study of relevant case-law. The analytical framework comprised 60 items grouped around five types of rights: non-discrimination, access, identification/placement, service delivery and parental participation. Overall, four jurisdictions, the Yukon, followed by Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan, were found to provide for a significant level of rights. Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and the Northwest Territories were found to provide for the lowest level of overall rights. Equality rights and access received the highest ratings across all jurisdictions, while parental participation, service delivery and identification/placement were rated lowest. Extensive references and key extracts from all legislation analyzed are included.