February offers an opportunity for people across the country to highlight the benefits of inclusive education and increase awareness of its many positive outcomes. February is Inclusive Education Month in Canada. Inclusive Education Canada is proud to be part of the network celebrating inclusion in Canadian Schools in February each year.

Since we started this project a decade ago, most provinces and territories have developed activities to highlight success stories in communities across Canada. We know inclusive education works! Children who learn together in school also learn to live well together as adults and are better able to create communities where “everyone belongs.”

National Inclusive Education Awards

To highlight National Inclusive Education Month and to bring attention to the many positive examples of inclusive classrooms and schools across the country, the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) has created a national certificate of recognition to be bestowed upon recipients who have made positive contributions to inclusive education in their province or territory.

• Teachers, parents, students and school leaders have been recognized by CACL on the recommendation of Provincial and Territorial Associations.
• Some local Associations for Community Living also organize activities.

Just a few highlights

• In Manitoba, Community Living Manitoba recognizes schools and teachers – and this year has arranged for the Minister of Education to officially designate February as Inclusive Education Month.
• In Alberta, AACL recognizes success at their annual family conference.
• In Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Prince Edward Island, the ACL recognizes achievement and prefers to make the award in the school being honored.
• In Ontario, Community Living Ontario has organized workshops and conference during Inclusive Education Month and has presented awards then and during the associations annual conference and AGM.
• In New Brunswick, NBACL has made the inclusive education awards event in February a featured activity for teachers and parents. They hold the event in Government House in Fredericton and in addition to the Lt. Governor they recognize a number of individuals/groups/schools each year.
• In British Columbia, Inclusion BC recipients will be recognized at the 2014 conference at the end of May.