Rowan’s Law, which came into effect in March of 2018, makes it mandatory for sport organizations and schools to be informed about the dangers of head injuries. Rowan’s Law helps protect the player and helps students, coaches, parents/guardians, teachers, and officials learn about preventing concussions.
In September 2019, the Ministry of Education updated its concussion policy (PPM 158) to be consistent with Rowan’s Law. Schools must comply with their school board’s existing concussion policy (which includes having a return to learn and return to physical activity plan for any student who has a concussion).
Rowan's Law is also about awareness and education. Rowan’s Law helps raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of a concussion and the steps that students/athletes, coaches, teachers, teammates/peers, and parents/guardians can take to identify and/or report when a suspected concussion has occurred – even in cases when no impact was observed. Encourage your students to SPEAK UP, get the help they need, and take the time necessary for recovery, with the support of everyone around them. By increasing concussion awareness and knowledge, we can change Ontario's culture around sports, physical activity, and injury.
