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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2017 - 04 - 05 - ID#63mn23
5
class action lawsuit by former students of W. Ross Macdonald School for The Blind reaches tentative agreement: if approved by court, $8 million settlement to provide compensation to students harmed between 1951 and 2012 (news.ontario.ca)
submitted by fastfinge
Nighthawk321 4 points 6y ago
So... What exactly happened?
fastfinge [OP] 3 points 6y ago
I haven't seen the court filing, so I don't know what they alleged, and I didn't attend that school myself. However, I have friends and family members who did, and I've heard lots of stories. Those stories aren't mine to tell, though. However, they include a building that was in violation of fire codes and other safety standards for many years, while the school knew and did nothing. Staff in charge of supervising the dorms who were frequently drunk while on duty. Meals that were often too small (a single bowl of soup, and nothing else, for dinner). Physical and sexual abuse of students.

I don't think all of these things happened all at once, but these were some of the things that were apparently going on at various times during that 60 year period. I say "apparently" only because I haven't read the court filing, and I didn't go to that school myself to verify these things directly. But the people who told me these things are friends and relatives whom I trust, and I have no reason to doubt what they say.
Nighthawk321 2 points 6y ago
Oh wow, I would definitely be interested to read more about this.
fastfinge [OP] 2 points 6y ago
So would I, actually. Can't find the court filings, but a press release was issued when the class action was first proposed, that says, in part:

The case involves allegations that the Ontario Crown failed to operate or supervise W. Ross MacDonald so as to ensure the safety and well-being of its vulnerable students, most of whom lived in residence during the school year. It is alleged that those caring for the students at W. Ross MacDonald often approached them with contempt, prejudice and indifference; they engaged in abusive conduct, often taking advantage of the visual disabilities of students.
The former students were children with disabilities when they attended W. Ross MacDonald. Most lived in residence at the school and many were far from their families. It is alleged the Crown was solely responsible for their care and supervision, acting in a quasi-parental role, but it failed in its obligations to students.
oldspice75 2 points 6y ago
https://kmlaw.ca/cases/wrossmacdonaldclassaction/

The document "january 25, 2012 factum of the plaintiff" looks like the full complaint
oldspice75 1 points 6y ago
https://kmlaw.ca/cases/wrossmacdonaldclassaction/

The document "january 25, 2012 factum of the plaintiff" looks like the full complaint
Nighthawk321 2 points 6y ago
Thanks!

/u/fastfinge
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