Inclusion Canada

A National Voice for Inclusion: The Founding of Inclusion Canada –

In November 1958, provincial parent associations from across Canada—including those connected to Inclusion Chilliwack Society—came together to form the Canadian Association for Retarded Children (CARC). This landmark moment marked the beginning of a unified national movement to advocate for the rights and inclusion of children with developmental disabilities.

At the time, families were facing widespread exclusion, with limited access to education, services, and community life for their children. The formation of CARC gave these families a collective voice, allowing them to push for systemic change at the national level.

As societal understanding and language evolved, so did the organization. CARC eventually became Inclusion Canada, a national federation representing 13 Provincial and Territorial associations and over 300 local organizations across the country. Today, Inclusion Canada works to advance the full inclusion and human rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The founding of this federation was a pivotal step in the broader movement for community living and inclusion—one that continues to shape policy, challenge discrimination, and promote belonging for all Canadians.