A leading expert in disability and human rights law is speaking at an inaugural symposium coming to Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) on Nov. 10.
The Anti-Ableism and Disability Justice Symposium is a full-day event that aims to critically examine ableism and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
A keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Laverne Jacobs, a Professor of Law at the University of Windsor, where she also holds a Research Chair in Disability Equality and Administrative Justice. She also sits on the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, where she is Canada’s representative.
“We’re all temporarily able-bodied, and one day accessibility barriers will affect all of us,” says Dr. Jacobs. “I think it's important to consider how other people around us are experiencing the world and to find ways to make sure that it's equitable and that we're in a space of substantive equality.”
In her address, Dr. Jacobs will discuss the results of a study she conducted on the barriers post-secondary students with disabilities in Canada face, particularly in respect to admissions and acquiring reasonable accommodations, and in light of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
“There’s very little research, at least legal research, that looks at post-secondary students with disabilities and the challenges they face. This study fills that gap,” she says.
By examining human rights tribunal decisions, the study sought to identify the types of issues students with disabilities were bringing forward, what kinds of issues they were encountering that would lead them to go to the human rights tribunals, the outcomes of these cases and what lessons can be learned from them.
Dr. Jacobs’ address will be followed by a panel presentation, where she is be joined by Dr. Michael Bach, an adjunct professor in Disability Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University; Dr. Rheanna Robinson, a professor in Indigenous Studies at the University of Northern BC; Dr. Erika Cedillo, Director of Public Policy and Programs at Inclusion BC; and Michael McLellan, a KPU student and Co-Chair of the BC Self Advocate Leadership Network.
This one day symposium is hosted by KPU’s Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities (OEIC) in partnership with the Office of the Provost.
“It has been 20 years since the creation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” says Dr. Fiona Whittington-Walsh, KPU’s Lead Advisor on Disability, Accessibility and Inclusion. “Despite Canada’s ratification of the convention, disabled Canadians do not have equal access to post-secondary education. Only 19.6% of persons with disabilities have a university or higher-level degree and subsequently have high rates of unemployment, poverty and loneliness.
"This event will bring together experts from the field of disability and community to discuss these issues and envision what disability justice could look like at KPU and beyond.”
"I am so honoured that our office is able to organize an event like this,” says Trina Prince, Director of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at KPU. “Bringing community together to learn with one another and to be in space where we are both advocating for and celebrating with each other is so crucial and important."
The Anti-Ableism and Disability Justice Symposium is being held on Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the KPU Surrey Conference Centre. The event is free and open to the KPU community and the public, but registration is required.
