Student's death sparks anger over special education gaps in Ontario
CBC
The death of a student in Trenton, Ont., last month has raised frustrations from parents and educators over gaps in special education in Ontario.
On Saturday, dozens gathered at a rally in Mississauga, Ont., to demand better resources for students with disabilities.
The rally was held in the wake of the death of 16-year-old Landyn Ferris, who was found alone and unresponsive in a sensory room at Trenton High School on May 14, according to his family.
Ferris had Dravet syndrome, which caused him to have severe seizures. As a result, his family says they instructed the school not to leave him unsupervised.
His death inspired Kady Dawe to organize Saturday's rally.
Her two school-age children require supports, she said, but their Mississauga school won't provide them. Dawe said that's left her unable to work, since she's needed to be available if they end up being sent home.
Dawe said she eventually pulled her five-year-old out of the school after the school allegedly ignored notes from her children's doctors.
"You don't think my kids need something when the doctors are saying they do?" Dawe said at the rally. "I'm so tired of this. Nobody wants to listen."
Some educators on the front lines say they aren't being given the tools they need to help these kids.
Gena Digiovanni, an educational assistant who represents the union for EAs in the Peel District School Board (PDSB), says staffing levels are a serious concern.
"The EAs are being stretched beyond what's humanly possible," she said at Saturday's rally. "We're all feeling something needs to change."
Teacher shortages at PDSB have recently threatened to stretch EAs even thinner.
Educators of children with disabilities were nearly moved to different roles to cover teaching gaps earlier this year. That only stopped after an outcry from parents and educators, who worried children requiring supports would be left behind.
Early childhood educator Aisha Persaud, who was also at the rally, also works in the PDSB.
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