This statement of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, reflects the provincial ministers' concern with ensuring that opportunities for participation in Canada's postsecondary institutions are available to those who can benefit from them, and in particular to those with special needs. An introductory section notes the growth of enrollments in Canadian colleges and universities; the changing economic circumstances which call for close cooperation between federal and provincial governments; Council concerns regarding the participation patterns of such groups as women, Native citizens, the disabled, minority language groups, and educationally disadvantaged adults; and obstacles causing underrepresentation of those groups. The second section provides a sampling of some of the initiatives in the areas of recruitment, instruction, and support services through which provincial and territorial postsecondary systems have endeavored to foster participation by special needs students. The final section outlines priority areas for further attention, including, among others: developing ways to facilitate access by special groups to postsecondary programs and services; introducing and expanding specially designed programs; and integrating special students into regular education, when possible. A French version of the text is also presented in the document. (JDD)