History of The Centre for Inclusive Education

Here is a brief list of some key points in the development of the Centre for Inclusive Education:

2011

Researchers from faculties of education at universities across Canada meet in Fredericton, new Brunswick in May to set priorities for nation-wide research studies in inclusive education. Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education – Announcement

2010

DirectorJacqueline Specht wins National Mentorship Award, presented at the Congress of the Humanities at Concordia University in Montreal. Acknowledging the essential role of mentorship in Canadian educational research, the award pays specific tribute to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding support and encouragement for graduate students in Education.
Partner with Coaching to Inclusion Committee to present the Annual Conference in October, with keynote speaker Lesley Andrew and eight workshop sessions.
Centre begins its evolution to become the national headquarters of the Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education, with team members from thirteen universities or colleges across Canada.

2009

Dr. Jamie Metsala joins the Faculty of Education and becomes a member of the core faculty team of the Centre for Inclusive Education.
Coaching to Inclusion formally partners with the Centre for Inclusive Education to co-host the twelfth annual Coaching to Inclusion Conference in October.

2008

Inclusive Education Conference: In April, Dr. Alan Leschied from the Faculty of Education speaks about children's mental health issues; teacher Katie Cole with the Thames Valley District School Board gives a presentation about media awareness for children. Both sessions feature panels of educators from schools in Southwestern Ontario;
The Centre hosts the eleventh annual Coaching to Inclusion Conference at the Faculty of Education, October 17th.

2007

2006

Web site provides "equal access" to the information provided on the web site. Information provided can be selected more directly by persons using assistive technology devices - such as screen readers - and the growing number of different devices used to access the web;
The first Graduate Research Awards are presented to Rita Rumbold and Michelle Servais for outstanding research proposals that address the inclusion of children with special learning needs.

2005

The new Centre for Inclusive Education web site is unveiled in January;
Assistive technology research lab (CAT lab) which was turned over to the London Public Library is featured in the Western News, April 28 edition. Innovative Centre Promotes Inclusive Society
The Centre begins hosting the Research Hour for faculty and graduate students to discuss their current research work;
Final Pre-service Teaching Awards presented to Heather Lade and Nicole Fordyce. This becomes the Graduate Research Award for 2006.

2004

Jacqueline Specht, member of the Faculty of Education and a Research Associate at the Centre, accepts the position of Director. She takes over on July 1, from retiring Director Dr. Colin Laine;
A new name, the Centre for Inclusive Education is adopted by the former Centre for Communicative and Cognitive Disabilities to reflect the broader mandate to share information about support for all students with exceptionalities;
Assistive technology research lab (CAT lab) which was maintained in partnership with the London Public Library is featured in Volume 3, Number 1 of Leading.Thinking, produced by Research Western.

1985 to 2003

A Canadian, university-based centre of specialization was established by the Secretary of State to improve educational opportunities for students with communication exceptionalities. This was known as the Centre for Communicative and Cognitive Disabilities (CCCD).

Dr. Frank Harper

Dr. Merrill Sitko

Dr. Colin Laine

History