Surrey Schools completes accessibility series with fourth animated video highlighting inclusion

The fourth and final video of the district’s accessibility series is out, defining the word inclusion and promoting a world in which everyone feels like they belong.

Created by the Surrey Schools accessibility working group and advisory committee, the four videos are intended to create a common understanding of the terms disability, barriers, accessibility and inclusion in school communities across Surrey and White Rock. The last video on inclusion asks, What kind of community do you want to live in?, and ties together the importance of all four definitions in creating environments where students, parents, staff and community members experience inclusivity.

“Of all the videos that we created for this series, I think this one – helping to build a common understanding of inclusion – was the one that really highlighted much of the work that has been a focus of so many people in Surrey Schools for so long,” said Colin Reid, District Principal with Student Support. “Seeing differences as strengths, being flexible and creative to ensure everyone’s needs are being met, and knowing that together we are better, are all a part of so many conversations in our district.”

Inclusion encourages belonging, purpose and well-being, and helps people thrive and succeed at school, in the workplace and in their communities. Inclusion means that everyone of every culture, background, gender, sexual orientation and ability has the same access and opportunity to participate in the world around them.

Inclusion can look like:

• providing barrier-free access to physical and online spaces;
• offering everyone equal opportunities to participate meaningfully;
• being represented in media, books, TV shows and films;
• assigning ASL interpreters at performances or meetings;
• ensuring there are sensory-friendly places in your school; and
• designing posters or websites that use colours that can be seen by everyone.

Reid said working on these four videos has spurred many important conversations about accessibility in the district, and he hopes they will continue to further a dialogue and start other conversations as staff carry out the work of the Surrey Schools accessibility plan.

“Seeing all four videos released and shared so widely over the last couple of months has been really great,” said Reid. “None of this would have been possible without the support and partnership of the Accessibility Advisory Committee and Sheila Reynolds, Kasha Duff, Dawne Kalenuik, Achal Gandha and the rest of the members of the Surrey Schools Accessibility Working Group. It has been inspiring to see the amazing things that occur when many outstanding individuals come together as a team for a common purpose. I am so proud of the work of this Committee and Working Group.

“The more disability, barriers, accessibility and inclusion become a part of everyday conversations the more process we will make toward our goal of a more accessible and inclusive society.”