Direct answer
Policy on Accessible Education for Students with Disabilities · Ontario Education Act — Special Education Requirements (IPRC, IEP) · Ombudsman Ontario — School Boards (jurisdiction since September 1, 2015) · Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario — Application and Hearing Process · Ontario Special Education Tribunal (OSET) — Tribunals Ontario · Verified 2026-07-04
- 1Understand what's happening
- 2Document it
- 3Send the letter
What this means
Whatever your school problem is, one habit helps: put it in writing. Verbal promises have no date, owner, or appeal route. Dated records are often useful when you escalate to a superintendent, Ombudsman, or tribunal. Use three steps. Summarize the conversation. Send it by email. Ask the school to correct anything that differs from its understanding. Log incidents the day they happen. Save everything, dated, in one place.
What to do next
Start the incident log today
Use the log on this site (it stays on your device) or any dated notebook. Consistency beats perfection.
Confirm your last conversation
Send the written-confirmation letter for the most recent verbal conversation about your child — today, while you remember it.
Ask for responses in writing
End every request with: "Please reply in writing." It sets the norm.
One folder, everything dated
Email folder or binder — one place, chronological, with dates on everything.
Thank you for the conversation. I will send a short email with my understanding of what we discussed. If anything differs from your understanding, please reply in writing within five business days. Going forward, please confirm decisions about my child in writing.
What to record
- Every conversation about your child: date, who, what was said — confirmed by email
- Every incident, the day it happens
- Every document the school gives you (and the date you got it)
- Every non-response: the follow-ups you sent and the silence that followed
If it doesn't resolve
This habit is the foundation for every rung of the ladder — start here whatever the problem.
See the full escalation ladderWhat not to rely on
- "They'll remember what they promised."
- People leave, memories differ. The written record is what remains.
- "Asking for things in writing will make me the difficult parent."
- The Ontario Human Rights Commission describes accommodation as a documented, shared process. Written confirmation is normal professional practice — and you can be warm about it.
Common questions
Dated records are often useful in superintendent complaints, Ombudsman Ontario matters, and tribunals. They show what was said, promised, and not done. They turn a memory dispute into a chronology someone can review.
You can create your own record. Send a short email with your understanding of the conversation. Ask the school to correct anything in writing within five business days. If no correction comes, your email remains a dated record of your understanding. Silence does not prove the school agreed with every detail.
One place, chronological: an email folder plus a binder for paper works for most families. This site's incident log stays on your own device and can print a dated chronology when you need one.
Legal authority for this page
| Date | Record | Publisher | Source type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-03-01 | Policy on Accessible Education for Students with Disabilities | Ontario Human Rights Commission | Government source |
| 2024-01-01 | Ontario Education Act — Special Education Requirements (IPRC, IEP) | Government of Ontario | Government source |
| 2015-09-01 | Ombudsman Ontario — School Boards (jurisdiction since September 1, 2015) | Ombudsman Ontario | Government source |
| 2026-07-04 | Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario — Application and Hearing Process | Tribunals Ontario | Government source |
| 2026-07-04 | Ontario Special Education Tribunal (OSET) — Tribunals Ontario | Tribunals Ontario | Government source |
Last updated: 2026-07-04