Learners with
disabilities/diverse abilities

Your child has a unique voice and we are committed to listening to them, however they are able to communicate. You know your child better than anyone and while opinions of professional experts are highly regarded, your insights are equally valued.

If you have a child with special needs, our inclusive kindergarten to Grade 12 program is here to support you. We provide equal access to opportunities for learners of all ages with disabilities or diverse abilities. We also provide additional supports to maximize their learning opportunities.

We offer support services to learners who have been, in accordance with B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care guidelines, professionally diagnosed with low incidence needs or who may or may not have been diagnosed with high incidence needs. The following designations are taken from and defined by B.C.’s Ministry of Education and Child Care:

• Physically Dependent
• Deafblind
• Moderate to Profound Intellectual
• Disability
• Physical Disability or Chronic Health
• Impairment
• Visual Impairment
• Deaf or Hard of Hearing
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Intensive Behaviour Interventions or Serious Mental Illness

• Learning disabilities
• Mild/moderate mental health issues/ behavioural concerns (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety etc.)
• Mild intellectual disabilities
• Speech and language impairment

We have an inclusive education team that includes over 65 B.C. certified educators with training that ranges from masters degrees in special education to certifications in specific learning techniques.

This video explores how we provide inclusive education for all learners.

Support services will create an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for your child, which goes above and beyond a regular learning plan. This learner-centred plan is created through collaboration with you and your child along with a B.C. certified educator (specialized learning consultant) to identify and support their individual needs.

Your child will have access to specialists who can provide a wide array of services including speech pathology, psychology, etc.

Your educator will discuss your child’s needs, their personalized learning program, the B.C. curriculum, and will support a decision on two different paths of completion:

• School Completion (Evergreen) Certificate: Learners on replacement competencies may work toward this certificate.
• High School Diploma: Learners on supplemental competencies may work toward a B.C. Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma or Adult Dogwood).

Both options expand opportunities for your child to create a meaningful livelihood based on their strengths and goals, and may equip them for post-secondary education (if desired).

You will be matched with a learning consultant who will advise, support and monitor your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and work with you and your family to identify your child’s individual needs and support their growth and development.

The learning consultant you are matched with will meet with you in-person or online at least twice per year (depending on geography), and then use written communications as well as phone or video conferencing to interact with you on a weekly basis.

SelfDesign Learning Community will work with you to coordinate and contract outside support providers and specialists to support your child with special needs.

(Note: All service providers are required to have a criminal record check done, and be contracted, prior to working with any learners.)