Today we were lucky enough to have two speakers from BCEdAcess, Tracy and Kaori. They both shared experiences as parents of students who have battled with inclusion issues which I think is very insightful and important. They introduced BCEdAccess as an advocacy group whose mission is to provide resources to diverse learners and the educators who support them.

We started with an activity to gain insight into each other’s invisible identities, this sought to open our minds to creating safe and inclusive spaces for students even if it isn’t apparent at first that a student needs it. As future educators, it’s crucial to pay attention to these exercises because we can’t predict who will be in our classrooms. Therefore, it’s vital to foster awareness, openness, and proactive approaches to cater to each student’s specific needs and create an inclusive learning space. Regarding technology, BCEdAccess supports families dealing with outdated devices, limited digital skills, and communication gaps between homes and schools.

One of the last important points we spoke of was intersectionality. Intersectionality, in the context of BCEdAccess, refers to the acknowledgment of how different aspects of a person’s identity and experiences intersect to create unique challenges in accessing education. BCEdAccess recognizes that a student’s needs and barriers to education aren’t solely defined by a single factor like disability or socio-economic status. Instead, they understand that a student’s experience may be shaped by a combination of factors such as race, gender, disability, economic status, and more. By considering these intersecting identities and experiences, BCEdAccess aims to address the complex and diverse needs of students and their families, ensuring inclusive support that recognizes and respects these multifaceted challenges.