Human Rights Day

Courageous Conversations on Ableism, Disability Justice, and Accessible Futures in Post-Secondary Education.

Since December 10, 1948, when the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR), the international community has marked the day as Human Rights Day. This year, the theme is, “Equality: Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights,” which draws on Article 1 of the UNDHR: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” The theme also builds on the 2030 Agenda and the Shared Framework on Leaving No One Behind: Equality and Non-Discrimination at the Heart of Sustainable Development, and centres global attention on reducing inequalities for women and girls, people with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, people of African descent, and LGBTQ2S communities.

To mark Human Rights Day 2021 at the UCalgary, the Vice Provost and Associate Vice President Research (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion), Dr. Malinda Smith, is pleased to host this Courageous Conversations with two internationally renowned disability studies scholars, Dr. Laverne Jacobs of the University of Windsor and Dr. Jay Dolmage of the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Laverne Jacobs will speak on the topic, “Meaningful Access to Post-Secondary Education – Beyond Legal Perspectives.” Access to post-secondary education is guaranteed through domestic law and through the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Yet, there is a significant way to go to before post-secondary education is truly accessible for students with disabilities on the ground. This discussion looks at legal and nonlegal concepts and tools to help ensure meaningful access to post-secondary education for disabled students.

Dr. Jay Dolmage will speak on the topic, “Academic Ableism, Accommodation, Access.” The discussion will address the ableist attitudes, policies, and practices that are built into higher education. The discussion will also interrogate the minimal and temporary means we have been given to address inequities, and the cost such an approach has for disabled students, staff and faculty. We will explore our own ableist biases, apologies and defenses in an effort to build tools for a much more accessible future.  

Friday, December 10
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Mountain Time) - Online