Canadian Parents Seek Funding For Blind, Deaf, Learning Disabled In Faith Schools

Today's Canadian Jewish News reports on a hearing scheduled for later this month in Ontario Divisional Court in Toronto in a lawsuit seeking government funding of services for blind, deaf and learning disabled children attending religious parochial schools. The lawsuit, filed in 2007 by parents of Jewish and Muslim children, alleges that their rights under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms are being infringed. Children in public and Catholic schools in Ontario receive funding for these services. Religious schools get funding from the Ministry of Health for speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing services and dietetic services. Parents want the Ministry to use a $10 million surplus it has in the account for health services for students in faith-based schools to assist blind, deaf and learning disabled students as well. Currently the Ministry of Education is responsible for these student needs.