UM is committed to fostering an equitable community for all. On March 10, the Office of Equity Transformation invites students, staff and faculty to the Anti-ableism, Accessibility and Human Rights community forum, a half day event focused on dialogue, learning and connection.
The forum will include keynote presentations, a panel discussion on disability and human rights, and information booths hosted by disability advocacy groups from the University of Manitoba and the broader community.
"By bringing together global perspectives on disability rights and local Manitoba experiences, the forum highlights how international human rights principles take shape in our own institutions, policies and communities,” say Chen.
The event will kick off with a virtual keynote address from Michael Stein, Executive Director, Harvard Law School Project on Disability and visiting professor at Harvard Law School.
Stein is recognized worldwide for his path-breaking scholarship on disability law and policy. He participated in the drafting of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has worked closely with disabled peoples’ organizations around the world. His work includes consulting with governments on their disability laws and policies, advising UN bodies and national human rights institutions, and contributing landmark disability-related litigation.
In his presentation, Stein will reflect on the upcoming twentieth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities — the first international human rights treaty to affirm the rights of persons with disabilities, representing more than 1.3 billion people worldwide. He will share insights from his experiences helping to negotiate the Convention and from his work implementing it in over 40 countries.
Offering a Manitoba perspective, the second keynote speaker, Karen Sharma, Executive Director of Manitoba Human Rights Commission, will discuss the evolution of disability rights in the province, with a focus on the Manitoba Human Rights Code enacted in 1987.
As Executive Director, Sharma leads the promotion and protection of human rights in Manitoba through the administration of the province’s human rights complaints system, policy development and research, and the delivery of public education. Prior to this role, she served as the Commission’s Director of Investigations and Policy. Sharma is also the current Chair of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies.
The event will conclude with a panel discussion bringing together community members, educators and self-advocates to share perspectives on disability and human rights. Panelists include:
"By coming together, we acknowledge and affirm our shared responsibility to dismantle ableism, advance accessibility and human rights at the University of Manitoba and beyond,” says Conrad.
Students, staff, and faculty are welcome to attend the full event or to drop in for parts of the program. Information booths from disability advocacy groups will be set up throughout the UMSU University Centre concourse, offering opportunities to learn, connect and engage.
All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. We hope you will join us.
Date: Wednesday, March 10
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Fireside Lounge, UMSU University Centre, Fort Garry campus
Program outline:
ASL interpretation will be provided.
The event will also be available to view via livestream. Please complete this form to receive the livestream link.
Chuck and Libby Winograd establish initiative to advance legal scholarship and public dialogue on contemporary antisemitism.
