HRO Annual Report 2023-2024

1.1 Introduction and Purpose

The Human Rights Office (HRO) is committed to ensuring learning, teaching, and working environments are free from discrimination and harassment. The HRO upholds its legal obligations in addressing Code-based discrimination and harassment under YRDSB Policy #240.0: Human Rights: Code-Related Harassment and Discrimination (Human Rights Policy #240).

This Annual Report highlights the HRO’s ongoing work in addressing human rights matters and supporting the York Region District School Board from September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024.

The HRO Annual Report is prepared separately from the Annual Accessibility Report.

1.2 Commitment to Human Rights

The Board’s commitment to human rights is carried out through the two primary goals of the HRO:

1. To act upon complaints confidentially, fairly and in a timely manner
2. To support the prevention of discrimination and harassment through human rights and accessibility education, learning and professional development.

1.3 Human Rights Office Mandate

The HRO's mandate includes: 

• Receiving and responding to human rights concerns brought forward by a member of the YRDSB community;
• Overseeing YRDSB's compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA); 
• Supporting preventative actions through the development and delivery of human rights and accessibility education;
• Providing YRDSB's leadership with guidance on Board policies and procedures specific to human rights (Policy #240) and accessibility (Policy #407);
• Managing the Barrier Buster electronic reporting tool that allows YRDSB community members to communicate barriers to accessibility within the Board's learning and/or working environment; and
• Advising YRDSB's senior leadership team on its strategic goals and actions through a human rights and accessibility lens.

HRO Priority #1:

To support the prevention of discrimination and harassment through human rights and accessibility education, learning and professional development

A core mandate of the HRO is to address issues of discrimination and/or harassment that violate the Human Rights Code. Human rights concerns are typically reported directly through a confidential Reporting Form or by email at human.rights@yrdsb.ca.

Each matter is reviewed and assessed to determine if the reported incident connects to a protected ground of discrimination under the Code. 

The HRO does not take on human rights complaints that are actively being addressed by another department, even if they may be Code-based. Management may consult with or refer a human rights complaint/investigation to the HRO. The HRO also provides general information to Board community members on their rights and responsibilities under the Code. When appropriate, the HRO promotes early dispute resolution options to resolve complaints. 

2.1 Human Rights Office File Summary

During the 2023-2024 reporting year, the Human Rights Office addressed 192 new files, an increase of 78% from the previous year. 

The HRO addressed these files by: 

• providing guidance and information on human rights;
• fact-finding;
• early resolution and investigations; or 
• referral to the appropriate department

HRO Complaint and Consult Files by Code ground

A breakdown of HRO complaint and consult files by Code ground is included in the chart below for the 2022-2023 reporting year. A breakdown of results from the 2021-2022 reporting year is also included for comparison. 

In the 2023-2024 reporting year, race and disability were the highest reported Code grounds to the HRO. This is consistent with previous reporting years.

The HRO received complaints from parents/guardians, students and staff alleging discrimination based on race and related grounds.  A number of the allegations stemmed from the Middle East conflict. This highlights how world conditions impact YRDSB constituents in our learning and working environments. 

Most disability-based complaints from staff, parents/guardians and students relate to allegations of a failure to accommodate specific disability-related needs. 

2.2 HRO Files by YRDSB Constituents

The following bar graph illustrates which YRDSB constituents filed complaints to the HRO. Most complaints were filed by parents/guardians of students.

The majority of complaints in the 2023-2024 reporting year were filed by parents/guardians on behalf of their children (students). 

HRO Priority #2:

To support the prevention of discrimination and harassment through human rights and accessibility education, learning and professional development

The departmental goals were to bring human rights training and information to our major constituents: students and employees.

Our office engaged with YRDSB students by organizing assemblies in partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation. Eight schools participated and more than 2,000 students learned about disabilities and fighting stereotypes associated with them.

Our office also engaged with Board employees by presenting at the 2023 Equity Symposium, human rights training for new vice-principals and principals, and 1:1 coaching sessions.  We also trained several schools on workplace respect and civility. The course is called Harmony in the Workplace. This training emphasized the need to ensure human rights are respected in the workplace and how to manage conflict when it does arise.   

3.1 Human Rights Ambassador Award (new initiative)

The HRO launched the inaugural Human Rights Ambassador Award to recognize YRDSB secondary students for their exceptional commitment to advancing human rights, equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discrimination within their schools during the 2023-2024 school year. 

Four students, one from each of the YRDSB’s four CECs (regions), were honoured as the 2023/2024 recipients: 

• Lejae Daye (Bur Oak Secondary School)
• Skylissa Gray (Stouffville District Secondary School)
• Raky Kane (Dr. G.W.Williams Secondary School)
• Natalie Khallouf (Thornlea Secondary School)

The selection process for the award involved principals, vice-principals and educators from secondary schools throughout York Region nominating deserving students based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrates values of human rights principles (e.g. respect, dignity, justice)
• Has a positive impact on the school through initiatives that promote human rights, equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-discrimination (considering race, gender, race, disability, or other identities)
• Empowers peers to advocate for themselves, others and their communities

This award highlights the importance of fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect in our schools, celebrating the next generation of leaders who are committed to creating a more equitable society. 

3.2 National AccessAbility Week Assemblies (new initiative)

As part of National AccessAbility Week (May 27-June 1), the Human Rights Office partnered with the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) to bring accessibility assemblies to YRDSB schools. More than 2000 students from across eight elementary and secondary schools participated. During these assemblies, RHF volunteer guest speakers Bernard (Ben) Akuoko and Oda Lanizi shared personal stories and provided valuable insights on how to create more inclusive environments. 

This initiative underscores the commitment to creating inclusivity and awareness within our schools and ensures that all students continue to have the opportunity to thrive in accessible and supportive learning environments.

3.3 Human Rights Professional Development

The HRO continues to develop and facilitate professional development and learning opportunities for YRDSB staff to build awareness and understanding of the importance of human rights.  

During the 2023-2024 school year, the HRO delivered 16 training sessions on the following topics: 

• Harmony in the Workplace (new training) 
• Investigation Basics
• Introduction to Human Rights
• Human Rights Case Law Update
• Human Rights, Anti-Discrimination & Bias 
• Culturally Relevant & Responsive Practice (Equity Symposium workshop) 
• 1:1 coaching sessions (new initiative)

These training sessions were delivered to individuals from:

• Senior Leadership, administrators, and management;
• Elementary and secondary school staff; and
• Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC)

The HRO also helped to raise awareness of human rights through social media posts featured on the Board’s Instagram account during Human Rights Week (Dec 4-8). 

3.4 Committees (internal and external) 

Human Rights and Equity Advisors Community of Practice

The Ministry of Education facilitates a community of practice with Human Rights and Equity Advisors (HREAs) and other human rights practitioners working at school boards across the province. The purpose of this community is to share resources, discuss systemic human rights issues, and provide support. 

Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group (MDIG)

MDIG brings together 20 member organizations that serve people who live, work, and play in York Region. The Group consists of municipalities, police services, hospitals, school boards, conservation authorities and agencies. The goal of this Group is to promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) within York Region. YRDSB has committed to upholding the values of and promote IDEA through training opportunities and ensuring employees maintain professional conduct.

YRDSB External Research Review Committee (ERRC)

YRDSB supports research studies that align with priorities outlined in Board plans. The YRDSB External Research Review Committee (ERRC) is responsible for reviewing research requests by institutions, agencies, staff members, or other individuals who wish to conduct research within the Board. All research that is not initiated by the Board must be approved by the ERRC. 

The HRO leads the Board’s commitment to accessibility, in partnership with the Board’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. We are guided in our work by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code, YRDSB Accessibility Policy #407, and the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan.

4.1 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

The YRDSB Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) 2020-2025 outlines measures the Board is taking to remove and prevent barriers to accessibility, and meet the requirements of the AODA in the areas of 

• policy, planning and reporting;
• training; 
• procurement; 
• customer service;
• information and communications; 
• employment; 
• transportation; and 
• the built environment. 

The five-year Plan outlines more than 120 commitments; to date, 96% of these commitments have been completed or are in progress.

4.2 Annual Accessibility Report 2023-2024

As required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), an Annual Accessibility Report is prepared as a separate document from the HRO Annual Report. The Annual Accessibility Report describes the measures that YRDSB has taken in the 2023-2024 school year to identify, remove and prevent barriers for students, staff, and people with disabilities.

The Annual Accessibility Report describes the various Multi-Year Accessibility goals and objectives achieved in the reporting year. 

Feedback or questions about the Annual Accessibility Report is both encouraged and essential for advancing accessibility at YRDSB in a way that recognizes the needs of all learners and people with disabilities. Contact the HRO to provide feedback via email at aoda@yrdsb.ca.