CCDS was one of 89 organizations from 60 countries selected for this international award with over 336 nominations from 76 different countries. The awards were presented as part of the Zero Project Conference 2016 in Vienna, Austria. This Conference was organized by the Essl Foundation, the World Future Council and the European Foundation Centre at the United Nations (UN) in Vienna. Award winners were selected by international researchers and experts in the field of inclusive education information communication technology.

The Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS) received its award in recognition for the collaborative project on inclusive education with children with disabilities, and their families, in Ukraine (2008-2012). Collaborators included Ukraine Step-by-Step Foundation (USSF) (Project Co-lead), Grant McEwan University in Canada and the Institute of Special Pedagogy in Ukraine.

The purpose of the project was to: develop policies in support of inclusion of children with disabilities in schools and communities; establish inclusive education programs in two pilot regions; and, strengthen civil society through capacity building with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to realizing inclusive education with, and for, children with disabilities ages 6 to 18 years, and their families. This project was made possible through the financial support of Global Affairs Canada.

The CCDS Executive Director, Dr. Susan L. Hardie, PhD., was in Vienna, Austria to receive the award, and serve on an international panel on inclusive education. CCDS is honoured to have had the privilege to work with, and for, children with disabilities and their families in Ukraine to further realize their rights to inclusive education as enshrined in Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”

For further details regarding this project, please visit the Zero Project Website or download the executive summary below.