Personal Professional Learning Project

Mia Ference

Community-Based Advocacy Groups who Support the Needs of Exceptional

or Vulnerable Students

Rationale:
I've chosen the topic of community-based advocacy groups supporting exceptional or vulnerable
students because it aligns with my goals as an educator and my belief in the importance of inclusive
education. I wanted to use this project to create something that will be useful to me in my future
years of teaching to educate myself and for any parents or students that I teach that need extra
support. This is a ready to use resource document that outlines different community-based
advocacy groups in Ontario.

As an aspiring educator, my goal is to create inclusive learning environments where every student
feels supported and valued. Understanding and engaging with community-based advocacy groups
allows me to gain insights into the diverse supports that are in the community to help parents and
students find supports and groups to reach out to. Throughout my practicum I had the opportunity
to work with students with exceptionalities and absolutely loved it. That is definitely a path that I
would like to continue down by taking my special education AQs and OT in the GLP and PSN classes.

Inclusive education is not just about accommodating students with diverse needs but also about
recognizing and celebrating their unique strengths and contributions. By exploring the work of
advocacy groups, I can better understand the challenges these students face and learn strategies to
empower them to succeed academically and socially. Community-based advocacy groups often
focus on advocating for policies and practices that promote equity and access to education for
exceptional or vulnerable students. By learning from these groups, I can gain knowledge and skills to
provide tailored support to students with diverse learning needs, ensuring they receive the
accommodations and resources necessary for their success.

Alignment with Standards of Practice:

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- Professional Knowledge: Engaging with advocacy groups deepens my understanding of

different learning needs and effective strategies to address them, enhancing my professional
knowledge as an educator.
- Leadership in Learning Communities: By collaborating with advocacy groups and sharing
insights within my educational community, I can contribute to a culture of inclusivity and
advocate for the needs of all students. I can use my resources to aid my students' parents to
find support in the community.
- Ongoing Professional Learning: Continuous engagement with advocacy groups allows me to
stay updated on best practices and emerging research in inclusive education, supporting my
ongoing professional learning and development. Continue to review documents like
Learning for All and Special Education in Ontario to keep up to date.

Through this project, I can apply the knowledge and skills gained to create more inclusive
classrooms where all students feel supported, respected, and empowered to reach their full
potential. By advocating for inclusive practices and leveraging community resources, I can foster a
learning environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equity for all students.

Self assessment and reflection:

Throughout my practicum, I got to learn more about different exceptionalities, learning disabilities
and more. I was so grateful for this experience as it showed me how much I enjoy working with
these students and want to continue down the special education path. For my ongoing professional
learning I feel that I need to learn more about the diagnosis that my students had/may have to
better support them in the classroom and their families at home. This assignment allowed me to do
just that. I chose advocacy groups that related to students' needs that I have seen throughout my
practicum, including, students with ASD, Learning Disabilities, students who are hard of hearing and
students living in poverty (in my second practicum 97% of the families at our school were living in
poverty). I chose to do these ones as I wanted to learn more and relate to students that I have
taught. I know I still have a lot to learn through professional development, my upcoming masters,
colleagues and more but I am excited to start a resource document like this that I can use
throughout my teaching years. Throughout my teaching journey I would like to continue to add to
this list as a living document of many easy to use resources.
 Personal Professional Learning Project
Mia Ference

Advocacy Group 1 Autism Ontario

Website Link: https://www.autismontario.com/programs-services/children-and-youth

Mission Creating a supportive and inclusive Ontario for autism.

Statement:
“The work we do helps all autistic individuals and families in their
communities have access to meaningful supports, information, and
connections so they are equitably and seamlessly supported across their life
course.”

Services/Resources - At home activity books for youth

provided for
- Learning resources on “What to expect” when given a diagnosis
families and
educators - Positive advocacy resources
- Webinars for parents and educators
- Events taken place virtually and in person
- Website pages to learn more about getting a diagnosis
- Newsletter

Location: All across Ontario and virtually

More information: CARE Values

Collaboration: We believe in the power of working side by side with
individuals, families, and communities to make informed choices about
autism.
Accountability: We hold ourselves and others responsible for achieving
successful outcomes through high standards of integrity and fiscal
responsibility.
Respect: We value equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we listen to
understand.
Evidence-Informed: We use and create knowledge to guide our decisions
and work.

Advocacy Group 2 LDAO - Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario

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Website Link: https://www.ldao.ca/home/

https://www.ldathome.ca/

Mission LDAO’s mission is to provide leadership in learning disabilities advocacy,

Statement:
research, education and services and to advance the full participation of
children, youth and adults with learning disabilities in today’s society. We
value promoting positive change through:
- Innovation
- Strategic partnerships
- Credible advocacy
- Informed public policy and
- Quality products and services

Services/Resources - Assists people with learning disabilities and their families in meeting
provided for
their expressed needs by:
families and
educators - providing support, guidance and up-to-date resource
information
- providing the opportunity for the sharing of information and
common concerns
- encouraging research in the field of learning disabilities
- supporting and generating legislative initiatives
- Creates public awareness of learning disabilities by informing the
public of the issues and challenges faced by people with learning
disabilities. Check out some of our public awareness events.
- Acquaints professionals working in the above listed fields —
education, recreation, legislation and justice, health, vocational
training and employment – with the current literature and research
in the field of learning disabilities.
- Online workshops and courses about LD, ADHD, IEP, etc
- Websites, online resources, videos
- Second website that is meant for parents and students that have a
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child with an LD@home. There are lists of resources, activities,

webinars, events, and finding help in the community to be used.

Location: Located all across Ontario

More information: In the Ottawa chapter these are some of the events that take place:
- Monthly Info Nights during the academic year. Member-generated
topics, guest speakers or movies, all followed by a facilitated
discussion.
- Workshop presentations – A wide variety of workshops, intended to
promote awareness of LDs, are available for children, parents,
educators and employers.
- Sunshine Day Camp – Summer program for children ages 7 to 12
that focuses on the development of social skills.
- Coffee House – One-on-one coaching, information and support for
parents of children with LDs.
- ‘SUP Youth Group – Facilitated youth group meets regularly to
discuss living with an LD, ADHD or anxiety. Information, peer
support, strategies and resources.

Advocacy Group 3 VOICE for children who are deaf and hard of hearing

Website Link: https://www.voicefordeafkids.com/

Mission Empowering children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families by
Statement:
advocating on their behalf;
Creating a supportive community that recognizes and values the diverse
communication approaches used by children who are deaf or hard of
hearing, while also ensuring they have access to the resources and
opportunities they need to maximize their listening and spoken language
potential; and
Educating the general public that children who are deaf and hard of hearing
can learn to listen and speak.
 Personal Professional Learning Project
Mia Ference

Services/Resources Offers programs to:

provided for - children 0-6 years old
families and - Parents
educators - children and youth
- Educators
- Advocacy
- public education
Offers resources, events, and summer camp

Location: 8 chapters across Ontario, 1 located in Ottawa

More information: As well as giving audiology resources to children, parents and educators, this
website also gives mental health resources for families.

Advocacy Group 4 Education Foundation of Ottawa

Website Link: https://www.educationfoundationottawa.ca/

Mission We exist to make sure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Statement:
1 in 5 children in our city is living in poverty. That means 20% of kids aren’t
getting what they need to succeed. Kids are coming through the doors of
our schools without the essentials they need to be active and ready to learn.
We want to reduce barriers for students regardless of their personal or
socio-economic circumstances. We believe that all children should have an
equal opportunity to learn and participate. By providing support, we hope
to open the door to a brighter future.

Services/Resources - Words of encouragement and online resources

provided for - Run programs: food security, student in crisis, active living and
families and opportunity
educators - Place for parents to ask for help

Location: Ottawa - Ottawa-Carleton District School Board OCDSB

More information: Have a backpack and supplies program where people can donate school
supplies for students that need it.

Advocacy Group 5 Ability Online

Website Link: https://newabilityonline.org/

Mission Our mission is to provide a social network technology platform that gives
Statement:
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youth with disabilities, parents, and professionals a safe, secure, and

positive online experience every time they log in.
We strive to remove social barriers and reduce the stigma associated with
being different, increasing self-esteem and self-confidence.
We aim to promote independence and a better quality of life with learning
and skills development.
Above all, we want to promote respect, acceptance, and inclusion.

Services/Resources - Access to role models and mentors

provided for - Peer support
families and - Easy ways to chat online
educators - Resources for parents and educators
- Fun games and books that you can do with a friend
- Skill and Confidence Development Opportunities - Mental Health,
Making Transitions, Help dealing with Bullying and Social Skills/Social
Thinking

Location: Online

More information: Ability Online has a place for youth to interact with one another in a safe
space as well as a hub for parents to interact
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Resources

Children and Youth | Autism Ontario. (n.d.).

https://www.autismontario.com/programs-services/children-and-youth

A. (n.d.). Welcome to LDAO. Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario - LDAO.

https://www.ldao.ca/home/

VOICE For Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Home. (n.d.).
https://www.voicefordeafkids.com/

Help students to grow and succeed with Education Foundation of Ottawa. (2024, April 9). Education
Foundation. https://www.educationfoundationottawa.ca/

Ability Online - Connecting youth with disabilities to each other and the world around them. (2024,
April 16). Ability Online - Connecting Youth With Disabilities to Each Other and the World Around
Them. https://newabilityonline.org/