Required Documentation

A medical diagnosis of a physical disability indicating significant programming adaptation requirements is necessary before a student may be considered for a placement. In addition, assessments by an occupational and/or physiotherapist are required. Other relevant documentation such as speech and language, psychological and educational assessments is also considered. Additional information such as exit information from treatment centres, rehabilitation institutions and hospitals may also be required.

Placement Procedures

Entry into this program is based on both the student’s specific needs and the availability of space within the program.

Step 1 Application:

An application is submitted by the principal of the student’s community school. This application is completed in collaboration with the in-school team and in consultation with the multi-disciplinary team (school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, social worker and learning support consultant). The application must be supported by the student’s *parent (s).
* parent denotes custodial parent(s) or guardian(s)

An application to the Physical Support Program may also be made through a therapeutic educational centre such as the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre (OCTC).

Step 2 Central Recommendation Committee:

This committee a) reviews the student’s learning profile in relation to the program’s entry criteria, b) determines whether or not there is space available in the program, and c) decides on the location of placement based upon the age/grade of the student in relation to the ages/grades of current students within the program, the learner’s profile, and the distance between specific locations and the students’ home addresses. When placement is a possibility, the sending principal is informed of the recommendation. Within 48 hours parents confirm acceptance of this placement and their intention to proceed to an IPRC meeting. During the 48 hours, the student and parents are informed of implications of the program placement. The student and parents have an opportunity to visit the class location recommended by the central recommendation committee.

Step 3 Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC):

The IPRC will a) formally identify the area (s) of the student’s exceptionality (ies) according to the categories and definitions provided by the ministry of education, and b) formally place the student into the specialized program class.

The Student

Academic Profile

Students may demonstrate the following:

• A wide range of intellectual ability

• An identifiable learning disability

• Oral/motor challenges

• Some form of physical assistance

• Require extra time for class work, tests and exams

Social Profile

Students may demonstrate the following:

• Delays in social development

• Inhibitions

• Aggression towards self and others

Ministry Definition of Physical Exceptionality

Physical Disability

A condition of such severe physical limitation or deficiency as to require special assistance in learning situations to provide the opportunity for educational achievement equivalent to that of pupils without exceptionalities who are of the same age or development level.

The Program

The Physical Support Program is for exceptional students at the primary, junior, intermediate and senior levels. The program focuses on the academic and physical needs of the students at all of the above levels. Programming is based on the learning expectations outlined in the Individual Education Plan (IEP). The IEP is developed and coordinated by the special education teacher in consultation with parent (s), Learning Support Services personnel, and subject-area teachers. The IEP is designed for each student according to individual learning needs and strengths. The IEP is developed, revised and updated based on the results of ongoing assessment and evaluation. There is ongoing liaison with the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre (OCTC) for those students who enter the program from the OCTC and from Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Consultative services are provided by CCAC in the areas of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.

The Classes

The Physical Support Program classes are limited in size as outlined in the OCDSB’s Special Education Plan. There are up to twelve (12) students in each Physical Support Program class. Classes are equipped with special education resources, including educational assistants and specialized equipment. The Physical Support Program is located in designated schools across the OCDSB.

The Teachers

The Physical Support Program is taught by teachers with special education qualifications (Parts I and II). Learning Support Services personnel provide assessment and consultative services to the program teacher. On-going liaison is provided for students who enter the Physical Support Program from the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre (OCTC) and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).

Evaluation and Review

Assessment is ongoing and evaluation occurs throughout the year. Student progress is formally reported as per the reporting structure of the OCDSB on the provincial report card, the IEP and alternative report cards. The progress of a student, who has been identified exceptional and has a placement through an IPRC, is formally reviewed on an annual basis during an IPRC meeting.

Change in Placement

Criteria include the following:

• The student’s physical condition no longer requires therapeutic interventions offered in the program

• The student’s needs will be better met in an alternate placement

• Evidence of on-going successful integration

• No longer benefits from specialized placement

Alternative Placements

The in-school special education team will meet with *parents to discuss alternative placements if necessary. Other special education placements may include the following:

a) regular classroom with monitoring from Learning Support Teacher (LST) or Learning Resource Teacher (LRT),

b) regular classroom with support from the LST/LRT,

c) other special education placement if appropriate, or

d) Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre (OCTC).

For Further Information

Please consult the OCDSB Learning Support Services’ Special Education Parent Guide and The Identification, Placement and Review Committee Process: Parent Guide. As well, you may contact the school principal or the OCDSB Learning Support Services personnel serving the school.