I am a historian, a professor, a developer of curriculum and I also happen to have Multiple Sclerosis. In my journey, I have experienced many reasons why hope was all I had left. And I decided that I wanted to write my story as a means to help others deal with times they felt hopeless. As such, I published my story through OER. I then went on to develop the first Disability minor in any Ontario college, at the degree level. As part of the mandate of this program, it was essential that we include the lived experiences of people who have disabilities of all kinds. And thus, my story (and others) were combined into what I loosely refer to as the Hope Project. In this session, I would like to share how I have learned from the past, while teaching students about the present, and giving them hope for the future. And through the disability minor, I am helping develop disability advocates in my students. The joy in this privileged experience is worth sharing here.
Attendees of this session will be able to:- Foster collaboration and innovative solutions for disability-related issues
- Promote inclusive thinking, advocacy for social inclusion and help empower students to challenge societal norms
- Advocate for accessibility and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities
- Assist students in understanding the importance of sharing the lived experiences of others
