GUELPH – Officials at the Upper Grand District School Board have created a draft human rights policy.
And at a board meeting on Jan. 14 it was released to stakeholders, including students, employees, advisory committees, unions, employee groups and community groups.
Input will be gathered through focus groups, surveys and the ThoughtExchange platform, an international communication tool that allows confidential public input.
A dedicated consultation space will also be set up on the UGDSB website, with supporting materials including overviews of human rights principles and the draft framework.
Feedback will be collected on systemic gaps, barriers and definitions in the policy.
According to a policy and priorities committee report, the policy “confirms the board’s commitment to:
– “fostering environments that prioritize human rights, equity and respect for the dignity and rights of all students, employees and community members;
– “maintaining learning and working environments that are free from [Ontario Human Rights] Code-based discrimination, harassment and oppression; and
– “remedying systemic inequities and ensure concerns are addressed fairly, equitably and in a timely manner.
The policy’s guiding principles are dignity and respect, equity of access, inclusion, transparency and fairness. It includes commitments to:
– uphold the inherent individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples to sovereignty, self-determination and self-government;
– working towards reconciliation by implementing the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report and listening, believing, teaching and practicing truth using the framework of Indigenous rights;
– recognizing that systemic discrimination exists in the board and taking action to identify, prevent and address the impacts of all forms of discrimination;
– recognizing that internationalities between protected grounds can result in additional barriers;
– centering the child, listening to and respecting the child’s voice, and giving the child’s view due weight in accordance with the child’s age and maturity;
– recognizing that inclusive design creates an environment that is accessible and inclusive for as many people as possible and commits to using it whenever reasonably possible;
– providing accommodations that result in equal opportunity when inclusive design is not possible;
– providing mandatory human rights, anti-oppression and anti-racism training for all staff; and
– honouring the remedial nature of the Ontario Human Rights Code and viewing complaints as opportunities for learning, improvement, responsibility-taking and healing.
When responding to allegations of code-based discrimination, the policy states a commitment to:
– treating allegations seriously and addressing them in a timely, fair and proportionate manner;
– promoting awareness of human rights and responsibilities; and
– restoring affected environments.
The policy lists facets of fundamental rights to education including teaching how to live peacefully and protect the environment and accurately teaching Indigenous histories, cultures, traditions and ways of knowing.
It lists rights of all UGDSB students, including the right to have their gender identify and gender expression respected and to never be subjected to violence in discipline.
It also lists obligations of all UGDSB community members, including:
– requesting an accommodation when needed and cooperatively engage in the accommodation process;
– cooperating in any review, inquiry or investigation of a human rights-related concern or complaint; and
– reporting any violations of this policy that they become aware of, if they feel safe to do so.
The director of education is responsible for implementing the policy and their obligations include:
– protecting and advancing an equitable, accessible, respectful and inclusive environment where people are encouraged to stand up for human rights and that is free from discrimination, harassment and reprisal;
– prioritizing human rights, equity and inclusion in all decision-making;
– monitoring and reporting on progress against human rights-related indicators and measurements; and
– issuing such procedures, guidelines and other materials as may be necessary to implement this policy.
