TORONTO, May 29, 2006 - The McGuinty government has expanded support for students with disabilities to ensure they have the opportunity to study and succeed at postsecondary institutions, Chris Bentley, Minister of Training,
Colleges and Universities, announced today.

"We are on the side of hard working Ontario families who want their children to find opportunity through access to postsecondary education," Bentley said. "That's why our government is committed to ensuring that all Ontarians, including students with disabilities, have the opportunity to reach their full potential."

The government provided $28.2 million in 2005-06 to help universities and colleges provide services for students with disabilities to help them succeed. This funding is used to support a wide range of services provided through offices for students with disabilities. Services include:

• Arranging note-taking support for visually impaired students and interpreter services for hearing impaired students
• Conducting learning assessments to determine the nature of a student's learning disability
• Providing access to adaptive computer and software learning technology to assist students with different learning needs
• Arranging extra time and support for students with learning disabilities to write exams
• Ensuring the institution is physically accessible for students with reduced mobility.
  

The funding included an additional $2.6 million to support pilot projects and provide additional funding to the offices for students with disabilities at each institution. The additional funding is part of the government's plan to invest $10.2 million in 2005-06, rising to $55 million in 2009-10, to help postsecondary institutions deliver programs that improve access to postsecondary opportunity for francophones, aboriginals, persons with disabilities and those who would be the first in their families to attend college or university.

Last year, the University of Toronto received a funding increase of $119,994 to bring Ontario's direct investment in the university's services for students with disabilities to almost $1.8 million. These services are accessed by approximately 2000 students at the University of Toronto.

"Universities appreciate this additional support from the McGuinty government that will enhance access to post-secondary education for students with disabilities," said Professor David Naylor, president of the University of Toronto. These new grants will also help fund the specific supports that these students need to ensure a more meaningful experience inside and outside the classroom."

Providing more access for students with disabilities is the latest way the McGuinty government is working to provide opportunity for Ontario's students. Other initiatives include:

• Creating 75,000 more spaces in postsecondary education for qualified students
• Doubling our investment in student aid to help more families with the cost of higher education
• Bringing back grants for students who need help the most, benefiting 60,000 students this coming year

"We know that enhancing support and services for students with disabilities will go a long way toward helping them achieve their postsecondary goals," said Bentley. "We're working to ensure every Ontarian has the tools they need to prosper in the economy of the 21st century."

Under the Reaching Higher Plan, the Ontario government is making an historic $6.2 billion multi-year investment to support postsecondary education - the largest in 40 years - to create more opportunities for Ontarians to succeed.

Disponible en français

www.edu.gov.on.ca
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca

Backgrounder

INCREASED FUNDING TO SUPPORT ACCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

In 2005-06, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities provided
$28.2 million to Ontario's public postsecondary institutions to support their
services for students with disabilities. Colleges received $16 million and
universities received more than $12 million to supplement the cost of
operating the offices that provide these services.

This funding includes a new $2.6 million investment to support pilot
projects and provide enhanced support to the offices for students with
disabilities at each institution. The additional funding is part of the
government's plan to invest $10.2 million in 2005-06, rising to $55 million in
2009-10, to help postsecondary institutions deliver programs that improve
access to postsecondary opportunity for francophones, aboriginals, persons
with disabilities and those who would be the first in their families to attend
college or university.

About five per cent or more than 30,000 of the students enrolled in
Ontario's colleges and universities identify themselves as having a
disability. Persons with disabilities may require assistance in overcoming
barriers to obtaining a postsecondary education. These barriers include
additional financial costs and low awareness by staff and faculty about the
challenges of learning with a disability, especially invisible disabilities,
such as psychiatric illnesses and learning disabilities.

In summer 2005, the government established a Postsecondary Advisory
Committee on Disability Issues. This committee provides ongoing advice to the
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on access issues affecting
postsecondary students with disabilities and helps identify priority areas for
conducting new research on reducing barriers to access.

In November 2005, the government announced a $3.3 million investment to
provide French-language students with learning disabilities with access to the
same services and supports as their English-speaking counterparts. The funding
was used to develop and distribute French-language versions of standard
testing and assessment tools, and provide professional development for
professional assessors.

Colleges and universities have a legal responsibility to accommodate
persons with disabilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In addition, the McGuinty government passed
the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 in spring 2005.

Disponible en français

www.edu.gov.on.ca
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca

For further information: Sheamus Murphy, Minister's Office, (416)
325-7215; Tanya Blazina, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2746; Public
Inquiries,(416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY: 1-800-263-2892

Go To Top

Return to DAWN Ontario index page

Featured News & Alerts

What's New
additions to the site indexed daily

Contact Us