fROM rESEARCH TO CHANGES IN POLICIES, PROGRAMS & PRACTICES

Strategic Plan

2006 – 2011

About CCDS

Established in 1995, the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS) has been a catalyst for change in disability research and disability studies both in Canada and abroad. The organization is unique in its structure and governance, in that it is a consumer-directed, university-affiliated centre with representation from all regions of Canada. Dedicated to participatory action research, CCDS has pioneered a model of research that ensures the active participation of disabled people in every aspect of the research process. Its partnership building and collaborative approach has resulted in the establishment of a knowledge base and a distribution network for the dissemination of information on disability issues.

Changing lives is what CCDS is about. Through its activities, CCDS promotes full and equal participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of society - locally, nationally and internationally. Changing the attitudes and understanding of disabilities starts with the training of students who will guide the next generation of professionals in various academic areas including medicine, law, and education and in every aspect of our society. CCDS has been instrumental in the growth of disability studies programs throughout Canada, and has nurtured the establishment of the Canadian Disabilities Studies Association. Recognizing the value of community-based research as well as academic research CCDS is committed to fostering a spirit of collaboration between disability, academia and other communities of interest.

Mission Statement and Philosophy

Philosophy

CCDS is guided by the philosophies of independent living and community living, emphasizing human rights, self-determination, interdependence, equality, a cross-disability focus, and full and valued participation in the community. Members of the disability community are key participants in directing CCDS policies and activities. The Centre operates from a spirit of collaboration and partnership in all of its undertaking, encouraging and promoting the development of partnerships between consumer organizations, professionals, education institutions, the private sector and individuals. Activities are broad, comprehensive, cross-disability and inter-sectoral. CCDS is a resource to and for the disability community and is provincial, national and international in its scope.

Building on a solid foundation

Partnerships

CCDS’ greatest strengths lie in building partnerships and acting as a bridge between the disability community, and governmental, corporate and academic sectors. Because CCDS responds to the needs of people with various disabilities at the grassroots level, its activities are both broad-based and focused. As a result, CCDS’ work not only provides the impetus for social change, but also leads to further collaboration and activities among some of its key partners.

Eleven years of success in creating strong, viable partnerships with more than 174 individuals, groups, organizations, universities and governments around the globe is a track record CCDS is proud of. Many of these partnerships have crossed traditional boundaries, making them both unique and innovative.

At the local level, partnerships have been established between CCDS and various groups and organizations run for and by persons with disabilities, including the Independent Living Resource Centre, Ten Ten Sinclair; advocacy groups, such as the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities; other organizations, including Association of Parents of Children with Disabilities, the Disabled Women’s Network, the Hospice and Palliative Care Centre of Manitoba, Western Economic Diversification, Reaching E-Quality, Deer Lodge Centre, Continuity Care and; and academic institutions, including the Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba, Red River College and the Frontier School Division.

On a national level, CCDS continues to build partnerships that are multi-sectoral and cross-disciplinary with individuals and groups with and without disabilities in the private, government, university and disability sectors from coast to coast in Canada. Examples include partnerships with the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Canadian Deaf-blind and Rubella Association, Canadian Institute on Universal Design, the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, (Toronto), the National Educational Association of Disabled Students, (Quebec), the National Literacy Secretariat (Ottawa), Human Resources Development Canada (Ottawa), Office for Disability Issues (Ottawa), Office of Learning Technologies, Inclusion International (Toronto), Nine Circles (Calgary), People First of Canada, the Public Service Commission of Canada (Ottawa), Wilfred Laurier University (Waterloo), the University of Calgary, Queen’s University (Kingston), the University of Toronto, Ryerson University (Toronto), McMaster University (Hamilton), Laval University (Quebec), University of Alberta (Edmonton), the Meighen Centre for Learning Assistance and Research (New Brunswick), the Neil Squire Foundation (British Columbia), the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres (Ottawa), Disabled Peoples International (Winnipeg), Canadian Council of Rehabilitation and Work (Toronto), and the Status of Women Canada.

On the international scene, CCDS has worked diligently to build relationships with persons with disabilities, service organizations, governments and development agencies around the world. As a result, CCDS has contributed significantly in the areas of capacity building, networking, and the dissemination of knowledge on disability issues. It has impacted on education and training by assisting in the development and dissemination of an operational model for social change and curriculum development in the area of disability studies programming in all six world regions: Europe, Asia, Africa, Asia-Pacific, North America and Latin America, with particular work in Russia, Ukraine, Mexico, Thailand, Zimbabwe and the United States.

Partnerships exist between CCDS and the Asia-Pacific Disability Development Centre, All Russia Society of People with Disabilities (ARSD), All Russian organization “New Choices”, All Ukrainian Association of Disability Organizations, the World Bank, Canadian International Development Agency, a variety of non-governmental organizations interested in disability issues in Omsk, Russia, the Association of Afghan Veterans, the Governor’s Coordinating Committee on Disability Issues in Stavropol, Russia, the International Network on the Disability Creation Process (USA), John Holmes Fund, Department of Trade and Foreign Affairs, North Caucasus State Technical University (Russia), Russian State Social Universities, the Mennonite Central Committee and others. Additionally, the Henry Enns International Scholarship provides further opportunities for collaboration and learning between Canada and abroad.

Accomplishments

In 1995 CCDS received assistance from the federal government and in 2000 from the Manitoba provincial government, with additional contributions from the private sector, to establish an endowment fund. Between 1995-2006, CCDS has managed to leverage additional monies through project revenues and other contributions, which have been injected back into the community at large. This support has resulted in a body of work that is not only impressive in quantity but has established a foundation of partnerships and networks essential to CCDS’ continued growth and excellence:

· Over 50 local, national and international projects

· Over 180 partnerships locally, nationally, internationally

· Training and learning opportunities for youth and young adults with disabilities in Canada and overseas

Canadian Research and Capacity Building projects on such topics as: transitions to work, disability issues of aboriginal people; aging/seniors and disability; farmers with disabilities; women and disability issues; deaf/blind demographics; visitable housing; assisted living housing; literacy; arts; home-based work; youth with disabilities; bridges between the corporate and community sectors and others. The Centre also received funding to establish the Royal Bank Research Chair as well as to establish a Small Grants Research Program;

International Research and Capacity Building projects on such areas as: determining the extent of World Bank disability activities (World Bank Project Baseline Assessment – Disability and Inclusion); serving as a beta test site for the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning and Disability; developing regional recommendations for the Asian Development Bank to address disability within a poverty reduction strategy; participating in the North American Exchange Program (Mexico-USA-Canada) through the Human Resources Development Canada Mobility Exchange; co-hosting the International Conference "Democracy, Diversity and Disability" in collaboration with the Society for Disability Studies; establishing the Henry Enns International Scholarship Fund on Disability Studies; developing and implementing a model for social change in partnership with Eastern European countries based on the social model of disability through major endeavors such as:

· International partnerships in disability studies in Russia and Ukraine

· Canada - Russia Disability Program

· Canada-Ukraine Reforming Social Services Project

· Improving Access to Mainstream Education for the Disabled in Stavropol, Russia: Donner Foundation

· Stavropol (Russia) - Winnipeg (Canada) Social Development Project

· Development Strategy for Inclusive Education in Russia

· Canada-Russia Consultation on Disability Issues

· CIDA Youth International Internship Program

· Co-hosting the International Conference "Democracy, Diversity and Disability" in collaboration with the Society for Disability Studies

Disability Information Network Projects include the writing of the books: Making Equality: History of Advocacy and Disability by D. Steinstra & A. Wight Felske (2003) and In Pursuit of Equal Participation: Canada and Disability at Home and Abroad by H. Enns and A. Neufeld. (2003); The Disability Rights Movement in Canada: A Virtual Museum funded by Canada Heritage; development of an on-line course on Disability Studies at the University of Winnipeg (2001-04); contributing Women with Disabilities & Health book chapter for the Ontario Women’s Health Status Project.

Education Achievements: Assisting in establishment of the Canadian Disability Studies Association (CDSA); establishment of the Henry Enns Disability Study Centre at the University of Manitoba (2003); Conference organizer for the first ever Society For Disability Studies Conference held in Winnipeg (2001); Establishment of an Inter-disciplinary Masters Disability Studies Graduate Program at the University of Manitoba: the first in Canada (2001); Courses in Disability Studies at an undergraduate level at the University of Winnipeg; 1^st National Symposium on Disability Studies, Summer Institute (Winnipeg Foundation) 1998.

CCDS receives funding from a variety of sources, such as: Royal Bank Financial Group, Government of Canada – Office for Disability Issues, Government of Canada – Western Diversification, Government of Canada – Office of Learning Technologies, Public Services Commission of Canada, Canadian International Development Agency, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Government of Manitoba, Winnipeg Development Agreement, Winnipeg Foundation, The Thomas Sill Foundation, Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba, Mennonite Central Committee, J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, Bieber Securities, Investors Group, Assiniboine Credit Union, First Nations Centre: Organization for the Advancement of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health, Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, Social Development Canada, Social Development Partnerships Program, Canadian Heritage, Winnipeg Inner City Alliance, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

Background

For more than three decades, discussion, exploration and action have resulted in change in the lives of people with disabilities. The motivators for these changes resulted from a critical mass of discontent from individuals with disabilities denied their basic human rights to be part of the society in which they live, work and play. These rights were recognized in 2006 by the United Nations through the adoption of a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities. Where once helping professionals and service providers focused on changing the individual, so they could “fit” into the community, now we seek to change whole communities, so that all may be included and participate to the fullness of their individual abilities. An inclusive society is one that highly values each and every life and continually enhances the full participation of every citizen. Achieving such inclusion involves ensuring that people with disabilities have access to knowledge and a meaningful partnership with government, communities and support agencies, based on respect and equality. Over the last decade, CCDS has made an impact locally, nationally and internationally on the lives of people with disabilities and their communities. This strategic plan outlines CCDS’ continued work towards an inclusive society over the next five years. .

This strategic plan is based on the input of its stakeholders, and on the results of an environmental scan that covered governance, resources, policy aspects, as well as an assessment of CCDS’ capabilities and culture. CCDS has developed four major directions nestled in a framework for change that will guide the organization for the coming five years.

DIRECTION 1: Enable Community Based Participatory Action Disability Research

Direction 2: Lead Disability Studies Growth Globally

Direction 3: Provide a Platform for Knowledge Transfer, Exchange, And Capacity Building on Disability issues

Direction 4: Grow An Enabling Organization

A Framework for change

The Board of Directors of CCDS is committed to an enabling environment of inclusiveness that generates knowledge through a process of building partnerships relevant to each issue under consideration. The ultimate goal is the utilization of the knowledge generated to influence policy and decisions that effect the lives of people with disabilities in Canada and abroad.

Lead…

in utilizing innovation and experience to provide leadership to other interested communities

Direction 1: Enable Community Based Participatory Action disability research

A coherent awareness of an evolving world - socially, economically and culturally - is essential to an understanding of the drivers for change that will result in a more inclusive society. World demographics are changing. Ageing populations with increased incidence of disability are placing increased demands on systems and services at an unprecedented rate. As impacts and new directions shape the lives of people with disabilities, new knowledge generation from diverse sources will be required, which must involve the participation of people with disabilities and the collaborative of stakeholders such as governments, academia, disability organizations as well as the private sector.

CCDS uses an innovative model of participatory action research. Participatory action research combines action research aims with concerns about the politics of research; it is through the actual research process that improvements to some aspects of society are thereby accomplished. Improving society must involve questions of social justice and participation, and these cannot be separated from issues of control and power. This research requires sensitivity and attention to relationships among researchers, "persons with disabilities being researched", other stakeholders and the wider society while investigating social problems of mutual concern, and taking collective action for improvement. More and more organizations, including universities, are becoming interested in “engagement” with communities and constituents through various methods such as community based participatory research. CCDS’ extensive experience in this area will allow for a leadership role nationally and internationally.

Goal: To be recognized as a model of community based, consumer driven, action-oriented research and education required to build a base of knowledge that will influence policy, programs and services for people with disabilities.

Activities:

1. Develop a policy to grow and implement the current model of community based, consumer driven, action-oriented research and identify, implement and evaluate activities that encourages and promotes this model

2. Review current research goals to identify and create priority areas of work, which thereby become germane to every project undertaken by CCDS

3. Build the base of disability studies research knowledge by encouraging research at all levels: local, national, and international

4. Continue to evaluate of CCDS’ generated research to identify the lessons learned to build on the internal core knowledge

5. Develop dissemination and marketing strategies for CCDS research impact and accomplishments

6. Identify ongoing research funding plan: sources that meet CCDS key priorities and development of targeted proposals

7. Sustain the Small Grants Program: market and disseminate accomplishments as well as seek funding for sustainability

8. Serve as a model and consultant for other organizations interested in Community Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR)

Direction 2: Lead Disability studies growth Globally

Disability Studies encourages perspectives that place disability in social, cultural, and political contexts. Embracing students from various disciplines, this academic discipline seeks to augment understanding of disability in all cultures and historical periods, to promote greater awareness of the experiences of disabled people, and to contribute to social change.

This course of study addresses definitions of and approaches to disability, and the differences that result from history and culture. In addition, courses examine the ways in which disability is constructed in societies - including the media, workplaces, service provision, families, and other environmental contexts. This course is designed to be of particular interest to people with disabilities, people with interest in providing disability services, educators, caregivers, therapists, and all people with an interest in disability issues.

Goal: Develop, promote and assist in the growth and sustainability of Disability Studies locally, nationally and internationally.

Activities:

1) Collaborate with universities in Canada and abroad to develop degree programs, disability studies options, and centres of excellence

2) Develop and market a philosophy and ideological framework of reference that is progressive and reflects a human rights approach to disability

3) Establish CCDS as an important coordination and reference point for disability studies program information and development:

a) Establish a database and inventory of all existing programs in disability studies

b) Lead scholarly exchange with academics through the development of a national speakers bank and lecture series, as well as the establishment of exchange programs for scholars

c) Become a catalyst for coordination and exchange between existing national bodies such as the Society for Disability Studies and the Canadian Disabilities Studies Association

d) Provide a reliable venue for disability studies programs & organizations to promote information dissemination, new developments, speakers, conferences, etc

e) Establish and coordinate a Canadian Journal of Disability Studies with the Canadian Disabilities Studies Association

f) Promote courses in disability studies at the high school level

4) Explore and establish an exchange program for academics working in the field of disability studies and develop opportunities for the on going exchange of views, innovations and lessons learned

Direction 3: Provide a Platform for Knowledge transfer, exchange, and Capacity building

CCDS believes that knowledge is power, and when people with and without disabilities become well informed, opportunities for people with disabilities will be maximized as we move toward a more inclusive society for all. Knowledge transfer and exchange is collaborative problem solving between researchers and decision makers. A leader in knowledge transfer and exchange since its inception in 1995, CCDS’ model of effective knowledge exchange involves interaction between people with disabilities, decision makers and researchers. This model results in collective learning and capacity building through a process of planning, disseminating, and applying existing or new research in decision-making.

Tremendous improvements in policy, practices and systems can be found when knowledge is exchanged between normally separate groups of people. CCDS’ knowledge transfer and exchange work brings researchers, people with disabilities and decision makers together to facilitate their interaction. This results in a better understanding of each other's work, new partnerships, and the use of research-based evidence in policy- and decision-making. Knowledge transfer and exchange support and improve evidence-based decision-making to ensure that the best possible decisions are made and that these lead to a more inclusive society.

Goal: To create an environment of knowledge exchange and transfer to ensure that the knowledge generated and the skills developed are accessible, recognized, and usable by people with disabilities, decision makers, practitioners, academics, industry and the community-at-large – i.e. all who contribute toward the creation of an inclusive society.

Activities:

1) Develop a comprehensive communication/dissemination strategy: to market, promote and disseminate CCDS' generated knowledge

2) Develop methods of dissemination of disability studies/research information that is accessible to academia, to the community, and to policy makers (through activities such as workshops, roundtables, papers, websites, and conferences)

3) Cultivate a practice such that community and other stakeholders are part of the dissemination process throughout each project

4) Position CCDS as a key knowledge broker and consultant on Disability Studies/research information to policy makers, corporations, etc.

Direction 4: Grow an enabling organization

CCDS’ partners and stakeholders have high expectations of CCDS and see it as a natural leader in disability studies and research. To meet the expectations of its partners and stakeholders, CCDS needs to ensure that it remains a strong, vibrant, forward-looking organization that continues to grow its human, informational and financial resources. CCDS’ staff is engaged in a diversity of research and is highly committed to the organization. This human resource in combination with a strong base of volunteers provides much potential to expand knowledge and organizational growth. To address the challenges outlined in this plan, CCDS will identify and seek out staff and volunteers who have the skills and abilities to generate the competency required to carry this strategic plan forward.

CCDS’ vision is focused on consumer-directed, participatory action research that is transformed into policy and services. To accomplish our goals will require sustained human and financial investment. The key principles governing this strategy are:

o CCDS’ strategic, operating and financial planning will demonstrate sustainability

o CCDS will be driven by the needs of people with disabilities

o CCDS will make financial decisions that are informed and conservative, and will manage risk caused by changing funding environments

Goal: To develop financial and human resources to ensure the continued sustainability of CCDS’ partnership-based organizational style which support CCDS’ mission, vision and strategic directions, and thereby promote an innovative model of organizational structure that other groups can emulate

Activities:

1) Develop a comprehensive Financial and Human Resources Operational Plan for organizational needs based on this strategic plan

2) Work strategically to increase the Endowment Fund by connecting strategic areas of research to the Endowment Fund

3) Develop a template for each project that will include: financial formulas, relativity to strategic directions, human resource allocation, measurable outcomes and impacts, and evaluative methodologies

4) Develop a marketing and communications plan to acknowledge our organizational impact and to broadcast its successes and accomplishments

5) Review our governance to ensure that all endeavours reflect inclusive and sustainable policies, practices and systems

6) Develop a monitoring and evaluative methodology for all projects