The fictional story at the heart of this resource is inspired by real-life events that took place at Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia, Ont. Time Travel Wheels is about two middle-grade students who travel back in time to an era when the now-shuttered institution forcibly confined young people with developmental or intellectual disabilities, who were often mistreated during their time there. Accompanying the story is a set of pedagogical materials designed to help readers expand their knowledge of and reflection on the circumstances at the school, the role of survivors in fighting for change, and how ableist attitudes and practices still need to be transformed. 

The materials are organized according to different themes found in the story—such as the importance of sharing stories, institutionalization/transinstitutionalization, the passage of time, “bodyminds,” and interdependence. They are also organized according to different reading levels, such as introductory, intermediate, and in-depth.

The guide is available to download in PDF form.