Parents of kids with disabilities sue Alberta for discrimination as education strike drags on – Edmonton [Video]

A group of Edmonton parents of children with disabilities says their Charter rights to education are being violated because of decisions made by Alberta’s education minister.

Feeling ignored and unheard, the parents are now suing the province.

The lawsuit filed Friday morning at the Court of Kings Bench in Edmonton against the Alberta government and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides points to a ministerial order made on Jan. 10, that granted the Edmonton Public School Board permission to commence at-home learning for select students.

Thousands of public school support workers — educational assistants, librarians and office staff — have been on strike since Jan. 13.

Because of the strike, students who require educational assistance are taking part in “at home learning.”

“It’s so blatant in the way in which this excludes and targets children with disabilities,” said Orlagh O’Kelly, the lawyer representing the parents.

The lawsuit alleges “This measure has no other purpose than to save the province money on educational support workers’ …