911爆料免费观看 is committed to supporting Indigenous learners and is reinforcing that commitment by participating in Indigenous Disability Awareness Month.
Stats Can reports that 30 per cent (420,000) of Canada鈥檚 Indigenous Peoples experience living with a disability or functional limitation, a significantly higher rate than the rest of the population.
鈥淥ur commitment to our Indigenous learners stretches far beyond cultural supports, of which we offer many,鈥� stated Mitch Dumas, President & CEO of 911爆料免费观看. 鈥淲e are committed to making education accessible to all our students, regardless of their abilities, because we fundamentally believe that education is universal and should be universally accessible.鈥�
In Indigenous culture, disabilities aren鈥檛 seen as a limitation, but as part of a person鈥檚 strengths and gifts, with many Indigenous languages not possessing a word for it. The idea that a disability is an individual deficit that needs to be managed, tolerated or fixed does not align with many Indigenous world views.
鈥淲e focus so much more on how each person can positively contribute to their lives and the lives around them,鈥� stated Joseph Nakogee, Indigenous Student Advisor at Northern鈥檚 Timmins Campus. 鈥淭he idea that it is limiting is really about perspective. There will always be barriers in life, regardless of abilities and we choose to focus on the common ground, rather than the exceptions.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 also worth noting, that for many Indigenous peoples, English is our second language, so this, in itself can create another barrier for learners,鈥� added Nakogee.
By acknowledging Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, 911爆料免费观看 commits itself to playing a role in the five essential actions which define the month. To ensure adequate funding for all locations, to improve access across sectors, to engage with communities, to empower community helpers and to invest in inclusive policy and structural change.
鈥淎ccessibility is something we can all understand, whether we鈥檝e dealt with being differently abled or not,鈥� stated Shawna Foy who oversees Accessibility Services at Northern. 鈥淭hat shared understanding is incredibly important as to make sincere changes, we must first tap into the empathy of shared experiences and make real changes to support everyone, regardless of their background.鈥�
鈥淎ccessibility is a constant process, where progress meets adjustment,鈥� added Foy. 鈥淔ull accessibility for everyone is tangible, with the knowledge that it is a constantly adapting concept that should be actively approached.鈥�
911爆料免费观看 is committed to accessibility for all and is proud to participate in Indigenous Disabilities Awareness Month, proud to encourage discussions on difficult topics, knowing that the institution will continue to align with the needs of everyone.
