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Education Rights
The Education Act lets boards provide transportation but does not require it. When your child needs it because of a disability, the Human Rights Code duty to accommodate applies.
Direct answer
Education Act · section 190 · Ontario Human Rights Code · Verified 2026-08-10
Document the specific sensory or behavioural reasons with a clinician and request an IEP amendment meeting. The amendment should address transportation accommodations, this may include a dedicated aide, route modifications, or an alternative transportation arrangement.
If your child's IEP documents a disability-related transportation need, the board also has a duty to accommodate that need under the Ontario Human Rights Code, so a refusal can be challenged with the board and, if needed, at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
The IEP should specify the required qualifications or training for any aide accompanying your child on transportation. If an unqualified aide is placed on the route, document this in writing to the principal and escalate to the board's special education coordinator.
Transportation rules and source checks
| Rule | What it says | Source and verification |
|---|---|---|
| Education Act (section 190) | The Education Act (section 190) lets school boards provide transportation, but it does not require them to. Each board sets its own transportation policy. | Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.2, s. 190 · Verified 2026-08-10 |
| Ontario Human Rights Code | If your child's IEP documents a disability-related transportation need, the board also has a duty to accommodate that need under the Ontario Human Rights Code, so a refusal can be challenged with the board and, if needed, at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. | Ontario Human Rights Code · Verified 2026-08-10 |
In brief
Education Act · section 190 · Ontario Human Rights Code | Updated 2026-08-10
The Education Act (section 190) lets school boards provide transportation, but it does not require them to. Each board sets its own transportation policy. If your child's IEP documents a disability-related transportation need, the board also has a duty to accommodate that need under the Ontario Human Rights Code, so a refusal can be challenged with the board and, if needed, at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
The IEP should specify the required qualifications or training for any aide accompanying your child on transportation. If an unqualified aide is placed on the route, document this in writing to the principal and escalate to the board's special education coordinator.
The Education Act does not set a rule on fees for this. Boards set transportation policy, and specialized transport for students with special education needs is usually provided at no cost to families. If a board tries to charge for transportation your child needs because of a disability, challenge it in writing and raise the Human Rights Code duty to accommodate.
Document the specific sensory or behavioural reasons with a clinician and request an IEP amendment meeting. The amendment should address transportation accommodations, this may include a dedicated aide, route modifications, or an alternative transportation arrangement.
What rights do autistic students have in Ontario schools?
In Ontario, students with autism have the right to an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and reasonable accommodations without a formal diagnosis, based on need. Parents can request an IPRC meeting to identify their child as 'exceptional', guaranteeing specific rights to support services.
Source: Ontario Education Act · Open source record
Can autistic students get an educational assistant (EA)?
School boards may assign educational assistants (EAs) to autistic students based on needs identified through the IEP process. How EAs are allocated varies by board and school, so ask the principal how support is assigned for your child.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Education — special education · Open source record
A written request gives the school a clear question and a date. Start a letter, or find the right board contact.
| Date | Record | Publisher | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990Government source | Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.2, s. 190 (transportation of pupils) | Government of Ontario | Government source |
Sources on this page
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
Under Ontario Regulation 181/98, an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) can place a student in a special education program. Once that placement starts, the principal has 30 school days to make sure an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is completed. Ministry policy (PPM 140) also lets boards write IEPs for students who have not been formally identified by an IPRC
Check the author’s context, review method, and how to report an error.
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