CYC517 - Assignment 3

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Fleming College *

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201

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Feb 20, 2024

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EMPOWERING VOICES 1 Assignment 3 Empowering Disabled Voices – Celebrating Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Faculty of Community Services, Toronto Metropolitan University CYC517: CYC Practice in Development Services April 21, 2023 Empowering Disabled Voices - Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion Workshop Our workshop, “Empowering Disabled Voices,” invites everyone who is interested in empowering disabled voices, breaking barriers, and celebrating diversity and inclusion.

EMPOWERING VOICES 2 Given the systematic barriers faced by disabled disabled individuals limiting their full participation in society, this workshop aims to promote learning opportunities so individuals can understand how they can contribute to creating safe, inclusive, and affirming environments that value, empower, and support disabled individuals. The workshop addresses disability justice based on six principles of disability; intersectionality, recognizing wholeness, leadership of those most impacted, interdependence, collective access, and collective liberation. In recognizing the importance of accessibility in terms of deep access, access intimacy, self-determination, and autonomy, the workshop shifts from just the individual “fixing” and works with a community focus, challenging ableism and promoting social justice and equality. Workshop’s Objectives/Goals The primary goal of this workshop is to establish a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for disabled voices to be amplified, heard, and respected. Each individual deserves to feel supported. However, it is often challenging for disabled individuals to have their needs met. This workshop aims to create and inform others how to create a safe and inclusive space for those with disabilities. Another objective is to draw on disabled individuals' life experiences, dreams, and thoughts. Another way to create a safe space is by sharing personal experiences through opening up and communicating with individuals who are different from one another, through listening to what they are feeling and/or have experienced. The workshop space is aimed at creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable being themselves. It is crucial that disabled people and disabled communities are given opportunities to share their views in a considerate and meaningful way. By promoting disability awareness, conversations focused on the misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding those with disabilities can be brought to the forefront. When stereotypes and misconceptions about disability are addressed and

EMPOWERING VOICES 3 combated against, attitudes and behaviours will become more impactful and positive. Another significant objective of the workshop is to recognize and challenge everyday misconceptions about disability as well as present systemic, structural, and societal barriers. Educating and learning about disability justice can set the foundation in working towards breaking barriers, allowing for impactful approaches to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in everyday spaces. By recognizing the stereotypes and misconceptions of disability, teaching one another the importance of disability awareness and justice is crucial. A powerful way to raise awareness is through reflecting, learning, and educating to gain a better understanding. Six Principles of Disability Justice Our workshop will focus on the six principles of disability justice that are interconnected. It includes intersectionality, recognizing wholeness, the leadership of those most impacted, interdependence, collective access, and collective liberation. These principles ensure we create an affirming environment that focuses on building a collective community support system. Intersectionality Intersectionality will be our workshop “Empowering Disabled Voices” primary principle, which recognizes that diverse identities exist, each of which can be a source of privilege or oppression (Berne, 2015). Intersectionality represents one's identity markers based on race, gender, sexual orientation, class, historical moment, etc., which intersect to create distinct marginalized experiences for individuals. We will ensure that we represent an inclusive and affirming environment throughout our workshop by acknowledging that social location impacts disability, empowering the voices of diverse communities, and honoring their experiences. Recognizing Wholeness

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EMPOWERING VOICES 4 When leading our workshop, we will guarantee to recognize wholeness. Our workshop values individuals as they are, honour who they are, and acknowledges that one is worthy and capable beyond ableist viewpoints (Berne, 2015). Ableist notions are beliefs of being sick or healthy, fixed or damaged, which are frequently conveyed in healing environments (Piepzna-Samarasinha, 2018). We recognize in our workshop that the disabled community is not made up of ill or unhappy individuals who are urged to be "normal" (Piepzna-Samarasinha, 2018). Our workshop strives to respect individuals' lived knowledge of their bodies, minds, and needs. “Empowering Disabled Voices” ensures that this is not just another healing space that dismisses the actual needs of the disabled community, but a space where their voices are the focal point of the workshop. Each and every individual is unique and we want to express the importance through community engagement. Leadership of Those Most Impacted Throughout our workshop, we will encourage the leadership of those most impacted. This principle shows one's knowledge and awareness of ableism and fosters the leadership of those most affected by systems of oppression (Berne, 2015). Our workshop will emphasize anti-ableism first and foremost, rather than an afterthought, by focusing on the voices of the disabled community, allowing individuals to articulate and explain their disabilities, and encouraging autonomy and wisdom (Piepzna-Samarasinha, 2018). In our workshop, we urge participants to share their experiences and encourage them to do it from their perspective rather than through the lens of societal norms and preconceptions. “Empowering Disabled Voices” intends to create a secure and trusting environment where individuals feel empowered and comfortable enough to express themselves. Ultimately creating a healing space that meets and acknowledges the needs of each individual that is a part of the workshop. Interdependence

EMPOWERING VOICES 5 In the context of disability justice, interdependence accentuates the idea that we are all connected in one way or another and that no matter what we all rely on each other to support meeting our goals (Mingus, 2011). Interdependence acknowledges that no one person is self- sufficient and we all have something to contribute within the community. Within the workshop “Empowering Disabled Voices,” interdependence can be incorporated into it by creating a space where participants can share their lived experiences and in a way learn from one another. Participants in the workshop can discuss how their needs are currently being met and as a whole, we can explore more ways to support each other. This workshop allows participants to work collaboratively to create a more accessible and inclusive environment. Interdependence as a focus within the workshop can promote a sense of community and a feeling of belongingness, regardless of one’s ability. Collective Access Peipzna-Samarasinha (2018) describes collective access as a way to create access through the use of creative methods and it is not just those who are disabled but everyone. Collective access involves recognizing that all individuals have access needs that vary, and depending on the situation or context they may change/vary, which means that we need to be aware of how oppressive systems and structures can limit access and work towards creating a community that aids access needs and well-being (Peipzna-Samarasinha, 2018). To ensure this when thinking about the workshop, it could mean ensuring the venue/location is physically accessible and that there are accommodation options available for those in need. Things such as wheelchair access, accessible washrooms, sensory-friendly rooms. To ensure this, prior to the workshop, an email would be sent out to those attending asking if there are any specific needs to ensure they are able to fully participate. Collective Liberation Collective liberation is a framework that acknowledges that forms of oppression are

EMPOWERING VOICES 6 interconnected and intersectional and that to reach true liberation for any one group would mean that we need to dismantle all the systems of oppression and power (Berne, 2015). Thinking about these links to ableism, ableism can be defined as “discrimination on the grounds that being able-bodied is the normal and superior human condition” (McLeod, 2011). When thinking about disability justice, collective access means working towards the liberation of all people with disabilities, meaning challenging ableist norms and expectations. Within the workshop, we aim to centre the experiences of those with disabilities as well as their perspectives to design and implement the program. “Empowering Disabled Voices” seeks to empower individuals and support them as well as others at the workshop to be agents of change and social justice. Within the workshop, we will have reflection discussions on our own privileges and biases, and learn together to build solidarity of disability through positive lived experiences and challenges. This aims to uplift and support disabled individuals to recognize that we all are in this fight and we will do whatever it takes together to reach collective liberation. Accessibility of Workshop This workshop held for abled and disabled individuals is aimed at educating and engaging in mutual learning of the systemic and societal barriers faced by disabled individuals and how we can create more inclusive, empowering, and affirming spaces that challenge ableism and promote social justice. The focus on deep access to ensure access intimacy, liberation, self-determination, and autonomy for the targeted population is crucial in working towards the workshop’s aims and objectives. Deep access can be understood as access to all elements making up an environment and/or situation. This means recognizing and addressing present social and physical barriers to ensure meaningful engagement, affirming and inclusive spaces that promote autonomy and self-determination, as well as an overall sense of belonging and community. Through

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EMPOWERING VOICES 7 ensuring deep access in the various spaces of the workshop, access intimacy can take place. Access intimacy is the instinctive understanding of one’s access needs on various levels (Mingus, 2011). As highlighted by Mingus (2011), engaging in access intimacy can be influenced through establishing and maintaining meaningful connections based on genuine care, respect, and mutual understanding of needs which is promoted in this workshop. As the workshop aims to promote access intimacy liberation, this also means challenging oppressive, inaccessible and non-inclusive systems to create spaces in which disability is valued. In recognizing the importance of self-determination as well as autonomy, the workshop is designed in a way that allows for the leadership and active involvement of the targeted population. For example, creating spaces that allow for opportunities for disabled individuals to take on active roles in planning and implementation to be the experts of their own teachings and narratives. Empowering individuals to take control, make their own decisions, contribute to their own goal-setting processes that address their needs and overall having choices is important to incorporate within the workshop to promote and value these concepts. Conclusion “Empowering Disabled Voices offers a safe and affirming space for disabled and abled individuals to come together and share experiences as well as celebrate what makes us all unique. The workshop aims to empower individuals to use their voices and learn to proactively advocate for disability justice. The hopes of the future is that this workshop will ensure and highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion within the disabled community. Moving forward, this workshop hopes to be utilized as a resource for everyone, providing a platform for sharing and working towards breaking barriers and creating a more equitable and inclusive community. This workshop will hopefully promote discussions, inclusivity, and advocacy for the disabled community.

EMPOWERING VOICES 8 References Berne, P. (2015) Disability Justice – a working draft by Patty Bearne. https://www.sinsinvalid.org/blog/disability-justice-a-working-draft-by-patty-berne

EMPOWERING VOICES 9 McLeod, M. A. (2011). Getting to Know You: The Prospect of Challenging Ableism Through Adult Learning. In T. S. Rocco (Ed.), Challenging Ableism, Understanding Disability, Including Adults with Disabilities in Workplaces and Learning Spaces (1st ed., Vol. 112`, pp. 13–22). essay, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ryerson/reader.action?docID=822030&ppg=19 Mingus, M. (2011). Access intimacy: The missing link. Leaving Evidence. Access Intimacy: The Missing Link | Leaving Evidence https://leavingevidence.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/access-intimacy-the-missing-link/ Piepzna-Samarasinha, L.L. (2018). Care Work : Dreaming Disability Justice . Arsenal Pulp Press.

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EMPOWERING VOICES 10 Appendix A - Promotional Poster

CYC517 - Assignment 3

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