CCDS Bulletin
Canadian Centre on Disability Studies -- Vol. 3 No. 3 Summer
1999
In this issue...
The CCDS Bulletin is a
publication of the
Canadian Centre on Disability Studies.
It is
published four times a year.
Your ideas and suggestions are welcome.
Contact the Editor, CCDS Bulletin,
2404-7 Evergreen Place,
Winnipeg, MB R3L 2T3
Phone: 204-287-8411
Fax: 204-284-5343
TTY:
204-475-6223
E-mail: ccds@disabilitystudies.ca
This
publication also appears on the CCDS Website:
http://www.escape.ca/~ccds/
Unsolicited materials are not the responsibility of the
Centre.
The Centre acknowledges the Contributions of:
Royal Bank of Canada
Human Resources Development
Canada
Western Economic Diversification
Canadian International
Development Agency
Province of Manitoba
Winnipeg Foundation
The
Thomas Sill Foundation
Winnipeg Development Agreement
Many individual
donors and volunteers
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Annual General Meeting to Focus on
Research
Research accomplishments, issues and possibilities will be the
focus of the 1999 Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Centre on Disability
Studies Thursday, October 28, 1999, 7 PM at the Norwood Hotel, Winnipeg,
Manitoba.
Research in progress and research results carried out by CCDS
staff, students and research associates will be on display. Recent papers such
as Taking Action on United Nations Disability Standards by Deborah
Stienstra and Patrick Kellerman, Disability and Families by Karen
Blackford and Understanding WHO Definitions: Key Issues for Social
Policy by Henry Enns will also be available.
A panel on nationally known speakers will discuss participatory
action in research at the AGM and also at a special Roundtable the following
Friday morning at the Norwood Hotel.
Board members and staff of CCDS have presented their research
activities in various places including a Halifax Disability Research Conference
organised by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the
CPA and St. Mary’s University in Halifax. CCDS is also participating in
the August 1999 Symposium and University of Calgary Summer Program on
Disability Studies and Research. During the past year CCDS also participated in
the Disabled Peoples’ International conference in Mexico and the Roeher
Institute’s August Disability Concepts Symposium.
Opportunities over the past year have allowed the CCDS Research
Committee to partner and/or dialogue with many disability consumer
organisations at the national and provincial level. A priority for the
Committee in the coming year is to further foster those partnerships in
locations across Canada.
Many projects are planned for the coming year. These include
the recording and dissemination of historical contributions of people with
disabilities to the advancement of human rights in Canada and internationally.
Readers across the country who wish to participate in these or other research
projects are invited to contact Dr. Karen Blackford, CCDS Royal Bank Research
Chair.
Research Seminar featuring Gary Annable
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Does this culture have a Food?
Washington D.C. Conference raises palatable questions
The annual Society for Disability Studies conference, held May
26-30, 1999 in Washington D.C., is the only forum of its kind to discuss
research in disability studies and allows participants an excellent opportunity
to debate the issues. So says Laurie Ringaert, Manager of the Canadian
Institute for Barrier-Free Design, University of Manitoba. Ringaert, Vice-Chair
and Executive Board member of the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies,
attended the SDS conference on behalf of her institute and CCDS. Ringaert
presented a paper and appeared before the Board of SDS during the five day
conference which brought together academics, disability advocates and
government representatives.
Ringaert’s presentation to the conference dealt with
“Community Participation in the Development of a Degree in Disability
Studies”. The role of the disability community, the academic community,
the corporate sector and government agencies was described in detail. The paper
describes the process being used as planners work toward the establishment of a
Masters Degree in Disability Studies at the University of Manitoba. “The
paper was well received and demonstrated again our uniqueness to others in the
field”.
The SDS Board received a proposal and presentation from
Ringaert to have a joint Disability Studies Conference in Winnipeg in 2001.
According to Ringaert “...the proposal is under consideration”.
Ringaert made a few observations about the conference.
“One of the interesting questions raised was, does disability have a
culture? A video on the subject was shown and the interviewer asked in the
video ‘If this is a culture, does it have a food?’ and the reply came
as quickly from Harlan Hahn, ‘yeah, it’s fast food!’”.
Ringaert noted that there were only a handful of Canadians at the conference.
She also commented that many U.S. government representatives there were people
with a disability (Judy Hueman, U.S. Department of Education, Susan Daniels,
Employment Issues). “The conference provided good connections. I met with
well known U.S. Disability Studies and disability activists Harlan Hahn,
University of Southern California; David Pfeiffer, Hawaii; and Davna Krasnitz
of the World Institute on Disability” Ringaert said.
Ringaert noted that she enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity
to represent CCDS at this important conference.
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Youth Employment Project
Consumer-centred, Participatory Action Research
The Youth with Disabilities Employment Project, begun in April,
1999 by the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies, M. Jones Consulting and
Skills of Learning Associates of Winnipeg, Manitoba has moved into the
individualised work preparation phase. Ten young people participated in the
first stage, in-class training, provided by project co-ordinator Moira
Horgan-Jones; Patricia Flaws, employment counsellor and adult educator;
Cassandra Jones, youth advocate; and David Kehler, CCDS Systems Technologist
and funded by Human Resources Development Canada.
Dr. Karen Blackford, Royal Bank Research Chair, CCDS and
Research Assistant Janalee Morris are covering issues related to research for
the project in accordance with the CCDS mandate to provide both education and
research from the perspective of people with disabilities. These issues include
ethical rights and responsibilities such as privacy, informed consent, and
freedom to agree to or refuse participation. Items for a questionnaire were
jointly created with the project participants. Based on ideas from the group
about what issues were important in their previous educational and volunteer
experiences, and also in their present program, a draft questionnaire was
developed to evaluate employment preparation programs.
Graduate of the Youth Employment Project at work
The research portion of this project, funded by the Manitoba
Ministry of Education Innovations and Research Division, is still in progress.
To date, results include increased research skills in youth with disabilities,
a working evaluation tool for employment program evaluation, and a
demonstration of consumer-centred, participatory action research.
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The Canadian Centre on Disability Studies Research Committee is
pleased to announce a Small Grants Program to fund community-based
disability-related research. The application deadline is November 30, 1999. A
maximum grant of $5000.00 per proposal is available. Successful proposals will
be announced March 1, 2000. Detailed application procedures are available by
contacting the Research Director at CCDS. Address applications to:
Small Grants Program,
Canadian Centre on
Disability
Studies,
2404-7 Evergreen Place,
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L
2T3
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International Research
A
Partnership Approach
More than a dozen persons assembled during the afternoon of
June 17th, 1999 for the first symposium of international task forces and
project groups working under the umbrella of the Canadian Centre on Disability
Studies. The purpose of the meeting was to share information about
international disability research and education efforts being carried out, how
to co-ordinate these efforts and how to assist each other in order to utilize
collected expertise and knowledge.
Dr. Olga Krassioukova, CCDS International Director, welcomed
participants representing the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), the
Independent Living Resource Centre (ILRC), Disabled Peoples’ International
(DPI), the University of Manitoba (U of M), the Family Services Department of
the Government of Manitoba and CCDS to an afternoon of discussion regarding the
formation of a committee that would serve to connect the groups and assist them
in developing common strategies to enhance participation of disabled persons in
international projects.
Dr. Don Fuchs, Vice Chair of the CCDS Board of Directors,
challenged participants to hold up the commonalities that each group brings to
the table and to begin to share opportunities that each project provides.
Laurie Beachel, Executive Director of CCD stressed the need for organisations
to co-ordinate efforts in order to avoid working against each other.
At present there are five international initiatives at
different stages. The Canadian International Development Agency has funded two
projects in Russia and Ukraine that are being co-ordinated by CCDS and the U of
M. The Estonian task force began meeting in 1996 and has established contacts
with a university and rehabilitation centre in Estonia. A request from Zimbabwe
for curriculum development and training is being responded to by the Zimbabwe
task force. The fifth area is the Canada/Mexico/USA Student Mobility Exchange
Program, in which two universities from each of the countries accept exchange
students (see CCDS Bulletin volume 3 number 2).
Symposium
Participants
Commenting on the involvement of the Family Services
Department, Province of Manitoba, Jim Derksen emphasised the benefit of
“observing other cultures and the way they operate at the government
level.” Henry Cullihall, CCDS, added that much credit needs to be given to
the volunteers who make up the task forces and committees. Because of their
efforts and perseverance, the projects move forward to implementation and
completion.
As a result of the afternoon discussions, it was agreed to form
an international committee made up of representatives from each task force and
project group to better facilitate communication and efficiency of work.
Laurie
Beachell
Henry Cullihall
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CCDS Membership Information can be
found on our Website…
http://www.escape.ca/~ccds/
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A Unique Library
The Disability
Information Network
What does the Disability Information Network (DIN) conjure up
in your mind? A network means connections. It would follow then that the
Disability Information Network means connections to information on disability
issues. We all recognise the fact that we don’t suffer from a lack of
information and the Internet has made it easier to access that information. Or
has it? Sorting through the maze found on the Web can be frustrating unless you
have a guide. The CCDS Disability Information Network is your guide through the
wealth of material on disability issues available on the World Wide Web.
According to George Hamilton, new co-ordinator of the DIN at
CCDS, the potential for this unique “virtual” library is practically
limitless. Partnerships are being developed with universities and technical
schools across Canada and the world. These partnerships form a disability
information resource pool which is and can be made available to researchers
across a broad spectrum.
George
Hamilton
Research assistance in the area of Disability Issues on the
World Wide Web is being provided by DIN staff. Rate structures for this
research assistance are currently be developed. Members of CCDS will receive
the benefit of this service at discounted/no charge rates, depending on the
number of hours utilised.
The CCDS Library staff is currently taking inventory of
existing and potential volumes in the hard copy section, with the view to
enhancing the offerings available to researchers. This part of the library is
for on-site use by Board members and CCDS members and also researchers working
on projects in partnership with CCDS.
Public awareness of disability issues and research will also
receive a boost through the placement of books at McNally Robinson Booksellers,
a Canadian bookstore which has established a Disability Studies sub-section in
the Issues section of its Grant Park Winnipeg store.
The DIN can be found on the CCDS Website at
http://www.escape.ca/~ccds/
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Discovering Connections
A Guide to the Fun of Bridging Disability
Differences - By
Linda D. Hill
With the Cowichan Valley Independent Living
Resource
Centre
Book Review
Discovering Connections was reviewed for CCDS by Nancy
Dorries, BSW, a Winnipeg social worker with extensive group leading experience.
Here’s her assessment of the book.
The book is progressive in nature with the segments building on
each other. It begins by asking ‘where am I at in my view of
differentness...what are my personal goals in doing this workbook...what is
reasonable to expect?’ Discovering Connections is interactive, saying
‘Here’s what we think, now what do you think.’ It invites
participants to keep a journal with exercises that are fun and meant to be done
together ‘...with a travelling companion’.
Three points about the exercises in Discovering
Connections… A) They are ‘involving’ and include
journaling, drawing, sculpting, and going to social events. This requires
serious time commitment and certainly won’t be boring. B) They promote
relationship building rather than a mere intellectual pontification about
disabilities. C) Participants ‘learn by doing’.
Working through Discovering Connections reminded me of
a Chinese proverb… ‘Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I may
remember. Involve me and I’ll understand’.
Discovering Connections is available from Building
Bridges, Box 156, Duncan, B.C. V9L 3X3
E-mail bridges@island.net or call toll free
888-746-1529.
(Webmaster's note: You can also order it through the
CCDS Bookstore)
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Staff Profile
Neil Okumura,
CGA
The Canadian Centre on Disability Studies would like to
introduce Neil Okumura, CGA. Neil is the new accountant at the Centre, bringing
with him experience in both profit and not-for-profit agencies as an employee
and as a board member.
Neil is a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba and is married to Irene.
They are parents of a son and daughter, Chad and Ciara.
Neil Okumura
Golfing, curling and baseball rate highly on Neil’s list
of extra-curricular activities and rumour has it that his sweeping expertise is
not the kitchen variety. Welcome to the Centre, Neil.
Neil assumed his duties at the Centre April 12, 1999.
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Royal Bank works towards hiring
targets
Royal Bank of Canada, corporate sponsor of the Canadian Centre
on Disability Studies Research Chair, is on the road to meeting its target for
the hiring of persons with disabilities. According to Crystal Laborero, Human
Resources Advisor for Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario and Nunavut
District, the goal is that 12.5% of existing employees will be persons with
disabilities.
Implementation of this goal includes partnerships with
disability organisations, preparatory interviews with potential employees and
work placement and experience. Laborero added that job preparation in the
classroom setting is also part of the program. Hiring management within Royal
Bank will be equipped with measurement tools for tracking purposes.
Research potential for this initiative includes monitoring its
effectiveness.
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Editorial
A prime opportunity to become involved at the ground level of
the building of an organization was how Human Resources Development Canada
viewed the support of the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies. An endowment
fund was established with a donation of $1 million which became a major
building block of CCDS, a Centre dedicated to the promotion of research and
education in disability issues.
Research and education opportunities have come to the Centre
quickly. They have been received by the volunteer board and the staff with much
enthusiasm. For those involved at the Centre the struggle has not been a lack
of research opportunities and challenges. Projects avail themselves locally,
nationally and even internationally. The real dilemma is which projects to set
aside because there is just not enough time or adequate funding to do them
justice.
Creativity is alive and well at the Centre. It is not always
necessary to spend money to further the work of a project. In-kind donations
have been of great assistance in furthering the goals of the Centre. An
excellent example of this is the story found on page five of this issue of the
Bulletin. That story tells of a Disability Studies section being established at
a Canadian bookstore. George Hamilton is hard at work developing the Centre
library. He observed that a good way of expanding the availability of materials
was to see if a local outlet would be open to promoting writings dealing with
disability issues. The response was positive.
Opportunities to become involved in the development of the
Centre range from volunteering as a board or committee member and making
in-kind donations to becoming a Founding Member. More information on how you
can become involved in this important work can be obtained by calling the
Centre or visiting the Website. You’ll find it at
http://www.escape.ca/~ccds/
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New Date Set for CCDS
Annual General
Meeting
Thursday, October 28, 1999 7 – 9:30 PM
(click here for AGM details)
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Employment
Opportunity
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Canadian Centre on Disability Studies
Salary Range:
$42,000 - $50,000
(depending on qualifications and experience)
MISSION
The Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS) is a
consumer-directed, university-affiliated centre involved in research and
education on disability issues. CCDS is committed to fostering a spirit of
collaboration between the disability and academic communities and other
interested parties on initiatives of mutual interest and benefit nationally and
internationally.
THE POSITION
The Education Director is a 3 year renewable term position. It
is expected that it will be a joint appointment with the University and
CCDS.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ph.D (or equivalent experience) with a commitment to
consumer participation in disability studies
- thorough understanding of the social model of disability and
the disability movement
- must have at least 5 year experience in teaching and
developing course material
- administration and proposal writing skills are an asset
- ability to communicate in both English and French would be
an asset
- qualified individuals with a disability are encouraged to
apply
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will:
- be responsible for coordinating and providing leadership for
the education activities of CCDS and work in partnership with the
University
- to continue to develop, implement, and deliver the
inter-disciplinary Masters Program on disability studies
- to assist in building a sustainable - resource base for CCDS
educational activities
- to work closely with the Education Committee in exploring
short and long term education activities in the community
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications, including teaching experience, knowledge of the
disability community and the names of 3 references should be sent prior to
September 15, 1999 to:
Dr. Henry Enns
Executive Director
Canadian Centre on
Disability Studies
2404-7 Evergreen Place
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L
2T3
Fax: 204-284-5343
E-mail:
ccds@disabilitystudies.ca
All applicants are thanked for their interest. Only those
applicants accepted for interview will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE!
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Events Calendar
Canadian Centre on Disability Studies
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Thursday, October 28, 1999 7:00 – 9:30 PM
At the
Norwood Hotel, Winnipeg, MB
Registration is at 6:30 PM with refreshments
following the meeting
The focus is on Research
Come and see Project Displays
(For more information see the front page story
of this issue of the Bulletin)
* * *
Independent Living
Resource Centre
15th Annual General Meeting
Thursday, September 9, 1999
Norwood Hotel
112 Marion
Street, Winnipeg MB
Registration 6:30 PM
General Meeting 7:00 PM sharp
Refreshments 9:00 – 10:00 PM
* * *
Transitions Through Life:
The 12th International
Conference
for Learning Disabilities and
Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorders
Sponsored by the Learning Disabilities Associations
Of
Canada and Manitoba
September 30 – October 2, 1999
Crowne Plaza
Hotel
Winnipeg, Manitoba
* * *
UNIVERSAL DESIGN IN THE CITY
beyond 2000
Presented by the
Canadian Institute for Barrier Free
Design
And the
Faculty of Architecture – University of
Manitoba
September 30 – October 2, 1999
Sheraton Winnipeg
161 Donald Street, Winnipeg MB
* * *
Technology and Persons
With Disabilities
15th Annual
International Conference
Sponsored by the Centre on Disabilities
California State
University, Northridge (CSUN)
In Los Angeles. CA March 20-25, 2000
Keynote speaker: Tom Whittaker, the first person with a
disability to climb Mount Everest
