Building Inclusive
Classrooms with SMILE
Every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and included.Together for Every Child is SMILE Canada’s education initiative designed to help schools foster inclusive, accessible, and welcoming learning environments for all students. Grounded in empathy, equity, and practical action, this campaign equips educators with ready-to-use tools that support meaningful conversations about disability, diversity, kindness, and belonging.
What Schools Receive
Participating schools receive free, classroom-ready lesson plans and inclusive learning resources designed to meet students where they are.
Lesson Plans (Kindergarten–Grade 12)
Age-appropriate lessons that explore:
• What disability is, including visible and invisible disabilities
• Inclusion, accessibility, and equity in everyday school life
• Empathy, compassion, and respectful communication
• Challenging stereotypes, stigma, and ableist attitudes
• Student voice, leadership, and advocacy (Grades 7–12)
Lessons are flexible, discussion-based, and activity-driven, allowing students to engage through conversation, movement, creativity, reflection, and collaboration.
Library Kits
Each participating school also receives a Library Kit with thoughtfully selected books and resources that:
• Represent diverse identities and lived experiences
• Support inclusive literacy and social-emotional learning
• Encourage ongoing classroom conversations beyond the lesson
Lesson Plans (Kindergarten–Grade 12)
Age-appropriate lessons that explore:
• What disability is, including visible and invisible disabilities
• Inclusion, accessibility, and equity in everyday school life
• Empathy, compassion, and respectful communication
• Challenging stereotypes, stigma, and ableist attitudes
• Student voice, leadership, and advocacy (Grades 7–12)
Lessons are flexible, discussion-based, and activity-driven, allowing students to engage through conversation, movement, creativity, reflection, and collaboration.
Library Kits
Each participating school also receives a Library Kit with thoughtfully selected books and resources that:
• Represent diverse identities and lived experiences
• Support inclusive literacy and social-emotional learning
• Encourage ongoing classroom conversations beyond the lesson
What Students Learn
Through guided discussions, videos, hands-on activities, and reflection, students are supported to:
• Recognize that everyone is unique and has different strengths
• Understand that disability is a natural part of human diversity
• Identify barriers in their environments and think critically about access
• Practice kindness, empathy, and inclusion in daily interactions
• Learn how small actions can make a big difference in creating belonging
Older students are encouraged to go further examining systemic barriers, understanding intersectionality, and exploring how youth can advocate for more inclusive schools and communities.
• Recognize that everyone is unique and has different strengths
• Understand that disability is a natural part of human diversity
• Identify barriers in their environments and think critically about access
• Practice kindness, empathy, and inclusion in daily interactions
• Learn how small actions can make a big difference in creating belonging
Older students are encouraged to go further examining systemic barriers, understanding intersectionality, and exploring how youth can advocate for more inclusive schools and communities.
Why It Matters
Many students with disabilities experience exclusion, bullying, or barriers to participation — often not because of their disability, but because environments are not designed with access in mind.
Together for Every Child helps shift attitudes early by:
• Promoting inclusive mindsets before harm takes root
• Normalizing conversations about disability and access
• Empowering students to notice barriers and imagine solutions
• Supporting educators with practical, adaptable toolsInclusion is not an add-on, it’s a shared responsibility.
Inclusion is not an add-on, it’s a shared responsibility.
Together for Every Child helps shift attitudes early by:
• Promoting inclusive mindsets before harm takes root
• Normalizing conversations about disability and access
• Empowering students to notice barriers and imagine solutions
• Supporting educators with practical, adaptable toolsInclusion is not an add-on, it’s a shared responsibility.
Inclusion is not an add-on, it’s a shared responsibility.
Designed for Educators
• No prior knowledge required
• Curriculum-aligned and classroom-tested
• Flexible for different learning styles and needs
• Adaptable across subjects and school settings
Educators are supported to facilitate conversations that are thoughtful, age-appropriate, and rooted in care.
• Curriculum-aligned and classroom-tested
• Flexible for different learning styles and needs
• Adaptable across subjects and school settings
Educators are supported to facilitate conversations that are thoughtful, age-appropriate, and rooted in care.
Join the Campaign
We invite schools to be part of Together for Every Child and take a step toward building classrooms where every student feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.Together, we can create learning spaces where no child is left behind.
.avif)