Building Inclusive Islamic Schools Across Canada

December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a United Nations–recognized day that promotes disability rights, accessibility and participation.

Through our No Child Left Behind initiative, SMILE is inviting Islamic schools across Canada to help make disability inclusion part of everyday school life.There is no cost to participate. SMILE will provide schools with free resources, learning materials and practical support.

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Meet SMILE Canada

SMILE Canada supports children and youth with disabilities and their families, with a focus on newcomer, refugee, racialized and underserved communities.
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For more than 17 years, SMILE has worked with families, schools, healthcare providers and community organizations to build more accessible communities. Our strong connections with Muslim communities help us provide support that is culturally responsive and relevant.

What Participating Schools Receive

Reading Kits

Each school will receive a Reading Kits. The kit includes children’s books and educational resources that positively represent disability and different lived experiences.

Sensory and Accessibility Tools

Schools will receive practical tools to support different sensory, communication, learning and participation needs in classrooms and other school spaces.

Disability-Inclusion Lesson Plans

SMILE will provide free Kindergarten–Grade 12 lesson plans with age-appropriate activities on disability, accessibility and belonging, developed with educators, disability professionals and people with lived experience.

Staff or Student Workshop

SMILE’s education team will offer a virtual and/or in-person workshop for staff and/or students on understanding disability, supporting diverse learning and communication needs, and creating inclusive classrooms.

Disability Inclusion in Action

Umyza’s Takeaway

"Many people think people with disabilities aren’t capable of doing some normal things. This isn’t fair because everyone is different and lots of people have their own normal. People should be able to do what every they want. Why do people put titles on others and think they can’t do things? People should step in other peoples’ shoes instead of talk about them in a bad way. Everyone is different and we should all be treated the exact same."

Click here to Get Started

Participation Requirements

Participating schools must:
Use the provided resources to teach students about disability inclusion.
Take at least one practical step to improve accessibility and inclusion at school.
Provide photos, student reflections or artwork for SMILE to feature, with the required consent.
Have Questions?
‍Contact SMILE’s education team for more information about the initiative, participation requirements or support available to your school at rwan.muzamil@smilecan.org.
Partnerships & Collaborations