Windsor-Essex Family Network

09/02/2025

Here at WEFN we are hoping children/youth and their families have had a great first day. Unfortunately, we have been contacted by several families about school concerns already. Did you know that Exclusion refers to any instance where a child or youth with disabilities and/or complex learning needs is prevented from fully participating in their education or care. This can include:
-being placed on a gradual entry plan (not applied class-wide)
-being asked to stay home or sent home
-experiencing shortened school days
-being left out of field trips, classroom activities, or extracurricular programs
- being denied access to child care or out-of-school care
- not learning alongside peers
- being subjected to seclusion or restraint, or
- having essential health, safety, or personal care needs go unmet
Family Support Institute BC has launched a Canada wide Exclusion Tracker
https://familysupportbc.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dc02aa0825b35e564b6396c02&id=05229f353b&e=adf7b0c99f

National Exclusion Tracker launches: Shining a light on school and child care exclusions - https://mailchi.mp/fsibc/national-exclusion-tracker

09/02/2025

Together Tuesday! 📜 Did You Know?

In 2010, Canada ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) — a global commitment to uphold the dignity, rights, and full participation of people with disabilities.

Article 24 of the CRPD is clear:
✅ Children with disabilities have the right to inclusive education.
✅ No discrimination — ever.
✅ Barriers in general classrooms must be removed so all students can learn together.

This was the first time inclusive education was explicitly defined in international human rights law.

If you want to dive deeper, check out General Comment No. 4 — it explains exactly what inclusion should look like in practice. https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/general-comment-no-4-article-24-right-inclusive

💬 What does your vision of true inclusion in schools look like?

09/02/2025

Happy First Day of school for children, youth and beyond. We hope it is a year of learning, friendship and growth.

09/01/2025

Microboard Monday! Happy Long Weekend everyone but we didn't want to miss out on telling you more about Microboards. Vela in British Columbia have been providing Microboard services since 1985. As their website shows "Vela Canada is a not-for-profit based in British Columbia, Canada. Vela Canada assists people with disabilities to take greater control of their lives by exploring ideas that can lead to customized, inclusive, and creative supports, such as developing a Microboard, accessing Individualized Funding, or using a Person Centred Society. There are over 1,500 Microboards in British Columbia, providing individuals with a self-directed lifestyle."

"Vela Canada, known internationally as the experts on the development of Microboards, was the first organization in the world to offer this focused service. They have been gaining traction and have provided consulting services to international family groups, organizations, and governments throughout Canada, Australia, the United States, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Norway, and the Republic of Ireland."

See their website for some real life examples of Microboards in action including Jiwan https://velacanada.org/2024/02/28/in-my-own-words/

And Shanti was the first person to have a Microboard in 1989 - if you are a Corner Gas fan you will recognize her sister even with the mask. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H_kTApSnfY

08/31/2025

Spotlight Sunday!

Faith, The Inclusion and Social Justice Coordinator and today I'm going to be talking about the lack of accessibility that we still face from steps to enter a building without any access to any ramps or elevators.

Accessibility is something that I've felt so passionate about because I feel like it is a conversation that can help people understand why accessibility should be so important to everyone.

I believe that it is important to have these conversations around accessibility because at some point this is an issue that will affect everyone. Accessibility is a requirement for people born with disabilities so that we can be a part of the world like someone who is born without a disability.

Here are some links that you can visit to learn more about accessibility and understand what accessible barriers are and why we need to advocate for barrier free spaces:
Stop Gap Foundation: https://stopgap.ca/
Canada Abilities Foundation: https://www.canadianabilities.org/
Rick Hansen Foundation: https://www.rickhansen.com/

08/27/2025

We only have space for 4 more families to sign up so make sure you do quick!!! https://forms.gle/qQVqnmiED3mZkqvJ7

September 27th seems so far away but it will be here before you know it! Don't forget to sign up for our Ice Cream Social https://forms.gle/cuLAjxNYiPNkUiMo8 - great way to have family fun, the ice cream truck is coming and we have lots of games and prizes. Join us for Corn Hole, Putting green, Giant Connect Four, Arts & Craft station and so much more! Spaces are Limited

08/27/2025

Wake Up Wednesday! It’s Faith, the Inclusion and Social Justice Coordinator and I’m back to discuss disability advocate, actress, and author Marlee Matlin. She is a strong advocate for those who are hard of hearing and/or deaf.

Marlee is also connected with organizations like Easter Seals, The Children Affected by Aids Foundation, and the Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet. In October 2007, Marlee was appointed to the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees which is a University for deaf and other hard of hearing Individuals.

She has published many books that discuss the importance of advocacy and justice for the deaf and hard of hearing community. She also released a documentary called “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” that retells some of the issues that the deaf community experience every day.

Marlee is someone who continues to fight for deaf representation in Hollywood. She uses her platform to raise others in the deaf community up, and to show that people in the deaf community can rise above people’s limited expectations and can be seen as main characters.

I came away learning more about the deaf community and the work that still needs to be done so that Inclusion is a possibility for everyone. I hope you learned something new, and I look forward to coming back next week to discuss a new disability advocate.

08/26/2025

🌟 New! 🌟 Welcome to our 2nd week.

💡 What is Inclusion Really?

Inclusion isn’t just putting students with and without disabilities in the same classroom and calling it a day.

Real inclusion means:
✅ The right supports in place so every student can learn and participate.
✅ A classroom culture where belonging comes first.
✅ Teachers and classmates who value differences and see strengths.

When students are “included” without support, it can lead to frustration, isolation, or missed learning opportunities. True inclusion ensures every student can thrive, not just be present.

This year, will dive deeper into what works, what doesn’t, and how families have experienced the difference.

💬 What does inclusion mean to you?

08/25/2025

Microboard Monday as we lead up to the Microboard Information Session we will be having at WEFN in October - more info soon! Have you ever heard of Microboards Ontario? Do you know what a Microboard does?

It's Faith, The Inclusion and Social Justice Coordinator at WEFN, and today I'm going to share more about Microboards. A Microboard is a group of family and friends (a minimum of 5) joining with a person with a disability to create a non-profit organization. A Microboard is focused on the person's self-determination, empowerment, and supports planning using a person-directed approach.

​To learn more about the impact a Microboard has on a person's quality of life, watch this short video prepared by the Canadian Centre for Citizenship and Inclusion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-jJgrpczoE

To be honest, I wasn't fully aware of Microboards and was eager to learn more. If you want to learn more, head over to the Micorboards Ontario site https://www.microboardsontario.com/

Next Monday we will share about Vela in British Columbia.

Our mission is to provide leadership in the development of Microboards through education, advocacy and support to people and communities across Ontario.

08/23/2025

An amazing organization doing such great work for families in our community. Grab one (or 3) tickets today, last chance.

08/22/2025

Thanks to a generous grant from the WEFN is reaching out to families who have an ADULT (18+) family member with a developmental disability to ask what WEFN could do to provide more information, support and resources that would best meet the needs of your family. Please take a moment to fill out our confidential survey and if you complete it before September 12, 2025 you will be entered in a draw to win a $50 grocery card. https://forms.gle/W2JvoUtVRwFPjbJB8

08/21/2025

We’re excited to be part of Fest-For-All 2025, a celebration of inclusion and accessibility happening September 12th at the Libro Credit Union Centre in Amherstburg!
As an exhibitor, we’ll be sharing information about WEFN, our upcoming events and we will have give aways!! Come say hi, check out all the incredible booths, and enjoy a full day of accessible fun!
✨ Live demos
⚾ Miracle League baseball
🏒 Sledge hockey with the Windsor Ice Bullets
🎶 Entertainment, prizes & more