February 3, 2017

We are excited to announce that the IDRC has received a grant from the Oak Foundation’s Learning Differences Programme.

With funding from Oak, the IDRC is helping leaders of social justice-related activities by and for youth around the globe authentically engage diverse learners. Youth-led social justice movements can be empowering experiences that build connection to community, self-confidence, and a more positive mindset within marginalized populations. However, social justice initiatives are not always designed to accommodate diverse learners, who are over-represented within marginalized populations. If these initiatives are designed inclusively, with the appropriate scaffolding and accessibility features, they can create a positive pivot point in the lives of youth with learning differences.

The IDRC is not only supporting inclusive design in the online tools and software these initiatives utilize, but is also actively sharing resources, ideas and frameworks that help activists and leaders understand the needs and potential of different learners. Its toolkit will be a far-reaching, open-source combination of online resources, websites, web code, exemplars, hubs and tools that will remove barriers to participation to youth social movements for youth who learn differently.

To see the work as it is happening and to join the project, visit the Social Justice Repair Kit wiki page

November 30, 2016
December 3, 2016 marks the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

IDRC Director Jutta Treviranus will attend events at the UN Headquarters in New York.

To learn more about accessibility rights and legislation in Ontario and in Canada, listen to Episode 3 of the Quantization Podcast.

November 30, 2016
The IDRC participated in the IIDEX National Summit on Accessibility on November 30th, 2016.

This summit focused on appreciating how diverse stakeholders help shape and improve our design.

The summit’s panels focused on two essential issues: Inclusive Play and Policy. The IDRC’s Director, Jutta Treviranus, lead the Summit.

November 30, 2016
On October 13-14, 2016 the DEEP – Discovery conference brought together an international community of over 100 diverse participants to discuss timely, difficult, and engaging topics.

This year’s theme was: “Our Data: Who owns it, who controls it, what can we do with it?”

DEEP 2016 welcomed the participation of four initiatives that each brought essential perspectives to the agenda, namely: international collaboration, platforms for inclusive prosperity, privacy, and life-long learning. The EU project Discovery, the SSHRC supported TIPP consortium, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner supported project on privacy and inclusion, and several open education projects all participated in DEEP 2016. Participation from each of these projects helps to ensure that conversations and plans will be acted upon and the work started at DEEP will continue well beyond the conference.