This analysis focuses on the significant impact of the current support staff strike on students with disabilities, setting aside for the moment the ongoing negotiations between unions and school authorities, regarding support staff wages.
Impact on Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities
Thousands of students are affected by this strike, many of whom are forced to attend school online without adequate support or are unable to attend school at all due to their reliance on educational assistants. This situation directly infringes upon their fundamental right to education, a right they may be too young to fully comprehend. Some students struggle to understand their absence from school and their separation from friends. Others are unable to participate in online learning due to parental work obligations, lack of technology, or their own physical or cognitive limitations. These students are being denied their education as a result of the ongoing dispute between the province and the school board regarding fair wages for support staff.
Impact on Students Attending School
Even students with disabilities who are still able to attend school face significant challenges. They often receive substantially less support than usual, relying on overburdened teachers and fellow students for assistance. Some students are struggling without access to essential assistive technologies, alternative format materials, and the necessary support to utilize them effectively. Consequently, these students are not receiving the appropriate education to which they are entitled.
Impact on Parents
The strike places immense pressure on parents. Those who must work are caught in a difficult situation, particularly as respite care options are limited and securing respite workers is extremely challenging. Many parents are forced to take leave from work, resulting in lost income. Furthermore, some parents are discovering that funding for disability supports is often restricted to outside of school hours, adding another layer of complexity to their situation.
The Broader Consequences
The current situation creates a cascade of negative effects. Parents face potential job insecurity, respite services are overwhelmed, educational assistants are absent from schools, and teachers struggle to meet the diverse needs of their students. The most vulnerable members of the school community—children and youth with disabilities—are disproportionately affected. They may not fully grasp that the strike centers on fair wages for their support staff, but they are the ones who experience the most significant losses.
The Government’s Role
The government’s response to this crisis is concerning. While families struggle with the daily realities of the strike, government officials do not appear to be adequately addressing the urgent needs of these students. There is a perceived lack of awareness regarding the profound impact this situation has on the mental health, physical well-being, educational progress, and fundamental right to education for these vulnerable children and youth. This strike effectively communicates to parents of children with disabilities, and the disability community as a whole, that their rights are not being prioritized. This sets a troubling precedent, one that the Alberta government appears to be solidifying.
Unapologetically Blind 