AODA Alliance
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance
Ontario Autism Coalition
MEDIA ADVISORY
June 17, 2026
Tomorrow 10 AM to Noon EDT, Provincewide Virtual Town Hall for Parents of Students with Disabilities to Describe What is Needed to Tear Down Obstacles to Their Child’s Education in Ontario Schools
What: The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance and Ontario Autism Coalition will hold a livestreamed Virtual Town Hall for parents of students with disabilities to describe the problems that impede their children from getting a full and equal education in Ontario schools, and what must be done to fix this.
When: Thursday, June 18, 2026 10 AM to Noon EDT
Where: Livestreamed on the Ontario Autism Coalition’s YouTube channel, and later to be archived on YouTube.
At least one third of a million students with physical, sensory, physical, intellectual, learning, mental health, neurological, communication and other disabilities suffer from well-documented recurring disability barriers in publicly-funded schools. On April 27, 2026, Ontario’s Education Minister told the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Social Policy:
“The level of special education across the province is different from school board to school board. I’m frankly unhappy with that. I’m unhappy with the disconnect between the three ministries that are responsible. I certainly think we can do a better job. I will be spending a significant amount of time over the next number of months seeing how we can better perform when it comes to special education.”
It is important for the Minister and the Ford Government to hear directly from the parents of the students who chronically suffer from the many problems with special education in Ontario. To assist the Minister, the AODA Alliance and Ontario Autism Coalition have organized this Virtual Town Hall.
In a letter to the Minister on June 3, 2026, the Minister was invited to attend this Virtual Town Hall, to hear from parents and students with disabilities themselves. The Minister was invited to speak to those taking part in this Virtual Town Hall. So far, he has not responded.
The public can watch the livestream on the Ontario Autism Coalition’s YouTube channel. Speakers will get a Zoom link. Speakers are welcomed on a first come, first served basis, without any prior screening of what they have to say. American Sign Language interpretation and real-time captioning will be provided.
Contact: Bruce McIntosh 416-451-8315, bruce.mcintosh@ontarioautismcoalition.com
David Lepofsky aodafeedback@gmail.com