A photograph of summertime on Queen’s University campus with red flowers, and ivy on a limestone building.
Co-designing Inclusion and Belonging Through Disability Studies and the Arts
A NETWORKING PROJECT
The focus of this project is to develop an international network that discusses the intersections between disability studies and education. We have been working to create a network of folks doing disability studies in education across Europe, North America, and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The purpose of the network is to help translate disability studies research and policy frameworks (like the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) into practice. We plan to do this work collaboratively with community members to center the knowledge of disabled youth advocates, family members and educators. At the heart of our approach is activism, advocacy, storytelling and the arts as powerful movers and teachers.
We are using a Social Sciences Research Council of Canada Destination Horizon Grant to develop and strengthen a network of people who work to improve inclusion and belonging by moving disability studies knowledge into practice through storytelling and the arts. We hope that one day, people in this network might secure funding for international research projects (for example, through Horizon Europe, Pillar II). Our gathering and this growing network respond to a central question: How does disability studies matter in education?
Links for those joining online. You can also find the links in the detailed agenda.
Vanessa Dion Fletcher’s link is here https://dion-fletcher-portfolio.squarespace.com/un-desiring-autism-key-note
For all sessions in Chernoff 213
https://queensu.zoom.us/j/95468725015?pwd=Maiv4spbe4nYWpMk18QJLaDsxShwyd.1
Meeting ID: 954 6872 5015
Passcode: 389840
For all sessions in Chernoff Auditorium and Chernoff 117
https://queensu.zoom.us/j/99448783794?pwd=rfsbltRFeryqsBA6QRsedmkKVLjsaC.1
Meeting ID: 994 4878 3794
Passcode: 786549
Accessibility
We are devoted to creating an accessible event that exceeds accessibility checklists. As such, we are taking measures to ensure amenities are available to meet as many sensory, physical, communication, cultural, COVID-safety, and other access considerations as possible. Please see the Access Guide for more information.
All spaces for the Symposium are wheelchair accessible. We are strongly-encouraging COVID-masking, have a fragrance-free policy, will be asynchronously recording events, and will be offering ample breaks and a relaxed appraoch to sessions (come and go as needed, move around, bring a comfort or swim item). We also have a quiet, sensory friendly space available for folks to access both in-person and online throughout the event.
The Symposium Agenda
This symposium centers work that unsettles settler colonialism, racism, and ableism in education. The event highlights the work and voices of Indigenous, Black, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals, and those individuals working at the intersections of these identities and critical modes of thinking.
The symposium features mini keynotes and artists including Vanessa Dion Fletcher, Nicole Ineese-Nash, Grant Bruno, Dorothy Taare-Smith, Claire Johnston, Dr. Vijaya Dharan, and Dr. Jacqui Getfield.
A photograph of a person sitting on a stone ledge reading a book by the Kingston harbour.
A photograph of Chernoff Hall is above. This is where many of the symposium’s talks will take place.
Symposium Access Guide and Policy Information
We have endeavored to offer as much information as possible in the Access Guide to allow for you, and any of your invited guests, to make informed choices and plan your attendance. To support the accessibility of the symposium, we have created fragrance policies, a Covid-19 and masking policy, and an allergy protocol. You can find these statements below. Please take a few moments to review them.
This event is a relaxed event, meaning all ways of being and moving (moving around the room, bringing a comfort item, taking breaks) are welcome here. Chernoff Room 211 and the Indigenous Gathering Space are available for the duration of the event as dedicated quiet spaces. There are also many beautiful natural and quiet settings on campus and close by including Lake Ontario. If you are joining online, we encourage you to get comfortable - turn your camera on or off, move around, take breaks, bring comfort items or comfort food with you or other that makes you feel at home.
We worked hard to find ASL interpreters for this event; however, we were only able to secure on-line interpreters for Day 2 keynotes. We will be working after the event to expand accessibility, including adding ASL interpretation and audio description to videos, writing plain language versions and more. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Maps
Map of campus
To support in way finding, please see the map of Queen’s Campus.
Map of Chernoff Hall
Most of the sessions will happen in Chernoff Hall.
Meet our Project Team
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Patty Douglas
Patty Douglas is an Associate Professor of Disability Studies, the Inaugural Research Chair in Student Success and Wellness and Director of the Centre for Community Engagement and Social Change in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University.
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Elisabeth De Schauwer
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Katie Aubrecht
enter
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Chris Bailey
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Harriet Cameron
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Stephen Connolly
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Pamela Cushing
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Breanna Lawrence
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Rebecca Lawthom
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Vijaya Dharan
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Ian Matheson
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Missy Morton
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Katherine Runswick-Cole
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Alan Santinele Martino
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David B. Shannon
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Kathryn Underwood
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Stéphanie Vanneste
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Claire Johnston
Claire Johnston (they/she) is a Red River Métis and settler visual artist based in Winnipeg/Treaty 1 Territory. As a Two-Spirit Piitoshi-iteeyihtam, Claire descends from many generations of people who work intricately with their hands.
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Vijaya Dharan
Vijaya is the Director of Academic Programmes and Associate Professor at Massey University, Institute of Education. She is a registered psychologist [educational], and a registered teacher currently involved in teaching in the master's in educational and Developmental Psychology and supervising Master’s and doctoral students.
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Stephen Connolly
Stephen is an autistic academic and has a keen interest in all things autism with particular focus on Emanciparticipatory research methods, research ethics and inclusion in Higher Education. He comes from a Physical Education and Developmental Psychology background.
Frequently Asked Questions
A photograph of a beautiful spiral staircase from a bird’s eye view is shown from above.
Is there a registration fee?
Registration to attend the event is free for all attendees. However, you are encouraged to make a small donation that is comfortable for you to support accessibility and other costs associated with the symposium. All general attendees must purchase their meals or food through registration by July 9th or outside of the dining hall we have reserved (i.e., no same day purchases at the group dinning hall).
Where do I park?
The closest parking to the venue (Chernoff Hall) is permit parking available on Bader Lane and Albert Street. Time limited street parking spaces are also available on Stuart Street and St. Lawrence Avenue.
Campus parking uses pay-and-display machines and/or the HONK app.
Where can I dine if I didn’t purchase group dining?
We have compiled a list of local restaurants around Queen’s and Kingston Downtown if you did not purchase group lunches.
What food is being served at group dining?
Here is the group dining hall.
There will be a list of ingredients on the dining hall menu, and we have requested some common comfort/safe foods folks requested during registration. The dining hall has a salad bar, grill items, pizza, and a stir-fry station. See the above link for more details.
Where are the Zoom links?
The zoom links are embedded into the agenda under “Join here” or here!
Chernoff 213
https://queensu.zoom.us/j/95468725015?pwd=Maiv4spbe4nYWpMk18QJLaDsxShwyd.1
Auditorium and Chernoff 117
https://queensu.zoom.us/j/99130887602?pwd=yykrAwtHJTlsterphWrsb85hN3zAGE.1
What is the suggested attire?
Please wear comfortable clothing for the event. We are taking a relaxed approach to the event. Also, note that we will be outside for the welcome and workshops, so please bring a hat, water, and sunscreen. There is some shade available outside.