By: Courtney Groot
In March, CNIB Calgary hosted the first-ever Alberta Access to Education Coalition (AATEC) Summit. The AATEC is a parent-led group advocating for equitable access to education across the province. By amplifying students' voices, AATEC ensures that both parents and children receive the support they need to excel in and out of the classroom.
The Summit was born from the understanding that involving key decision-makers in this conversation is critical to ensuring the needs of students who are blind or have low vision remain on provincial and national agendas. Nearly 80 attendees, both onsite and online, listened intently to the stories shared by students and parents. They discussed the successes and challenges of their educational journeys in front of their peers, education professionals, and other notable stakeholders.
CNIB is working alongside AATEC to help influence this change within the education and healthcare systems as part of the Our Kids Will Thrive commitment in CNIB’s new strategic plan, The Way Forward. This commitment most notably includes implementing a kids and family program to offer expanded and comprehensive support for learning, establishing medical rights that include mandatory comprehensive vision health screenings before a child enters school, and creating a Charter of Rights for Children Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision.
To support all students across Canada, you can read and sign the Charter and pass it along to your family and friends. After all, as one of the youth panellists stated at the Summit, “While personal strength is very important within school and advocacy, an even more important aspect is your community strengths. Nobody is an island; no one can do everything all by themselves.”