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UGDSB schools recognize National Accessibility Week

June 4, 2021

GUELPH, Ontario – Schools across the Upper Grand District School Board spent May 31-June 4 recognizing National Accessibility Week.

National Accessibility Week is a week designated to continuing the important conversations about inclusivity and accessibility.

This year, the UGDSB invited schools to arrange for a guest speaker in their classroom. Guest speakers available to schools included, musician Kara Shaw, UGDSB graduate and wheelchair basketball Paralympian Patrick Anderson, Orangeville District SS graduate and para-alpine skier Sarah Gillies, motivational speaker Jeff Preston, Paralympian Joshua Cassidy and dance performer Luca Patuelli.

Victoria Terrace Public School virtually hosted Luca Patuelli at the start of the week. The task of picking a guest speaker was given to two grade 4 students at the school who have to navigate accessibility obstacles every day. One of the students had the honour of introducing Patuelli before the virtual assembly.

At Hyland Heights Elementary School, National Accessibility Week was fused with the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics and Olympic games. National Accessibility Week events were live streamed to students and staff at the school and included guest speaker Sarah Gillies who opened the week by answering student questions that were previously recorded through a Google Form. Gillies spoke to students about taking opportunities that can help you grow, lessons learned from disappointment and believing in yourself.

Students at the school also learned about the Paralympic and Olympic games, watched videos of a torch lighting and participated in other themed events. To close off the week, students and staff welcomed virtual speaker Patrick Anderson. Anderson spoke to students about making the most out of what you have and shared about his Paralympic experiences. Students and staff at the school also gave Anderson well wishes as he prepares for the Paralympic games in Tokyo.

See below to view more of the National Accessibility Week activities happening in our board:

 

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