A Question Of Fairness

I am very lucky to live in a country like Canada. Having been accepted as a post-secondary student in the university system some years ago, for a few thousand dollars a year I can continue my formal learning opportunities indefinitely. I can pursue whatever it is that interests me. So far, I have enjoyed completing a BA in History, a B.Ed (Education) and I am currently completing an MA in Applied Language Studies. Luckily for me, all of these learning activities have been heavily subsidized by the taxpayers of Canada. Not only that, but I can easily access an interest free loan for the duration of my studies should the tuition costs prove challenging.

In addition, should I have trouble finding a job, there are numerous employment and training programs that I can access to improve my chances. These are also fully or significantly subsidized by taxpayers. Yes, this is a great country for those who wish to learn and work.

But not for all of us. For some strange reason, it has been decided that people with developmental disabilities are not like the rest of us. They are forced to leave the public school system at age 21 (whether they have achieved functional academic skills or not) and that is, for most, the end of their formal education.

Why is this so? As a member of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Special Education Advisory Committee, I was privy to a recent exchange of letters between the Ontario Minister of Education and the Committee to seek answers to this very question. The answer? For some reason, educational needs for adults with developmental disabilities is, according to the Minister, a topic to be addressed as a Community and Social Services and/or issue. Then again, maybe it should be handled by the Ministry of Health. Don't forget the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture, and Recreation, I'm sure they might be very helpful.

Confused? Scratching your head? It gets worse. These ministries are always shoving the developmental services "hot potato" back and forth. It's like one of those new touchtone information services where you have three different choices, but you always get referred back to where you came from.

What can be done about this? Do we need something called the "Ministry for Persons with Disabilities" to coordinate the needs of people with special needs, including developmental disabilities? Or would this make matters worse, if that is possible. Your insights appreciated!

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