History

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

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).

Past Directors: Dr. Frank Harper 1985 - 1992 Dr. Merrill Sitko 1992 - 2003 Dr. Colin Laine 2003 - 2004

Dr. Frank Harper

Dr. Merrill Sitko

Dr. Colin Laine

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.

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.

2006

• Alan Edmunds, member of the Faculty of Education and Research Associate at the Centre, accepts the position of Acting Director during Dr. Specht's sabbatical in 2006-2007;
• 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.

2007

• The first Inclusive Education Conference is held at the Faculty of Education. Dr. Alan Edmunds is the featured speaker, with over 100 educators in attendance.

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.