Recognizing Human Rights Issues

This guide is for all DDSB students and families. Indigenous students and families are also welcome to connect with the Indigenous Education Department for additional support.

Human rights are rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code that make sure everyone can feel safe being who they are and be treated fairly and respectfully, without discrimination. Human rights concerns can show up in many everyday situations at school. At the DDSB, any form of discrimination, harassment, or hate
under the Human Rights Code—for example, based on race, ancestry, ability or disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, or any combination of these (called “intersectionality”) is not acceptable.

What is Discrimination?

Discrimination is unfair treatment or exclusion based on or because of a person’s identity. Examples can include:

• Being disciplined more harshly than others
• Separate rules that target one group of students
• Being discouraged from certain courses
• Not respecting cultural or religious practices (for example, smudging, being treated differently for wearing a hijab, turban, or a symbol of faith)
• Not receiving accommodations set out in an Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Words or actions that hurt, target, or make someone feel uncomfortable, unsafe or unwelcome based on their identity
  • For example, racist, sexist, or homophobic comments or slurs, mocking someone’s accent or appearance, or teasing or bullying someone because of their religion or because they have a disability/different abilities.

Technology and Online Behaviour

Online discrimination and harassment can include posting or sharing hurtful or discriminatory messages, comments, memes, images, or videos on social media or group chat platforms, or using AI to create harmful, discriminatory content. Human rights apply online and in digital spaces if it affects school life.