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Join NEADS on the State of the Schools Tour Vancouver Stop!

Join the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS), Simon Fraser University’s Disability and Neurodivergence Alliance (DNA), and University of British Columbia’s Disabilities United Collective (DUC) on Monday, February 26th at 12pm PT at the Delta Hotel (Vancouver Downtown) in the Mount Pleasant Room and on zoom for the Vancouver stop of our State of the Schools Tour!

As part of NEADS’ Virtual Access 4 All Project and quarterly State of the Schools Reports, the NEADS team is partnering with DNA, DUC, and local disabled and neurodivergent students to host this hybrid event on post-secondary accessibility and accommodations while providing local students advocacy and networking opportunities.

The NEADS team will kick off the event as Chloée Godin-Jacques, Lead Researcher, shares an insightful presentation on the essentiality of student services. Then, representatives from the Disability and Neurodivergence Alliance (DNA) and Disabilities United Collective (DUC), will present on their important work.

Following a panel with local disabled and neurodivergent students, an open discussion section provides participants the opportunity to share their thoughts on the state of accessibility and accommodations at their post-secondary institutions, as well as disability rights across their province.

NEADS is conducting remote interviews, via Zoom, to complement discussions held during the State of the Schools Tour stop in Vancouver. These interviews will serve as dialogues with students interested in further discussing their lived experiences within the classroom setting and beyond. Narratives collected through this research will be anonymized and used in presentations and publications. Please contact Chloée, NEADS Lead Researcher, to receive additional information and to schedule an interview: chloee.godinjacques@neads.ca

Contact tracing, social distancing, and masking will be enforced for in-person participants. A pre-packaged lunch will be provided to in-person participants, and closed captioning and ASL interpretation will be available online and in-person through zoom. The State of the Schools Tour, and the Virtual Access 4 All project, are generously supported by Employment and Social Development Canada's Goal Getters Program.

All participants must register for this free event – please register here. Please indicate any accessibility requirements through the registration form, and re-submit the registration form with updated requirements as needed.

About Simon Fraser University’s Disability Neurodivergence Alliance

The SFU Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance (DNA) is a student-led network of community members who identify as disabled, autistic, neurodivergent, Deaf, mad, and/or as having a disability, chronic illness, long-term condition, or mental illness. We work together to create campus change, address ableism, and promote disability justice while opposing oppression in all forms. We also provide advocacy, support and community through our online Discord as well as events and other initiatives. Our membership is based on self-identification, because we believe that the medical system is flawed and there are a lot of barriers to get a diagnosis so people should be able to be part of the community regardless of if they have a diagnosis or not. 

Learn more and connect with us: https://linktr.ee/SFUDNA 

About University of British Columbia’s Disabilities United Collective

The Disabilities United Collective is a student-funded and student-led resource group at the University of British Columbia which serves all students who identify as Disabled, including but not limited to those with physical disabilities, chronic conditions and neurodivergent conditions. We advocate for a barrierless, accessible world for Disabled students at the University of British Columbia and throughout so-called Vancouver. We also strive to create a community for all Disabled students at UBC. Learn more about us here: https://linktr.ee/ubcduc 

Meet the Speakers

Josh Bradbury, DUC Co-President

Josh (He/Him/His) is Co-President of the University of British (UBC) Columbia Disabilities United Collective (DUC). A queer, mixed race and disabled activist, Josh studies Political Science at UBC on exchange from the University of Warwick in the UK. He has previously served as an executive of various disability groups at his home university. Within DUC, Josh oversees work on the #Access4All campaign, creating accessible spaces at UBC, community socials/engagement and liaising with the AMS (UBC's students' union). Outside of DUC Josh is an avid football (soccer) fan, having followed Norwich City since childhood.

Jasper Lorien, DUC VP Internal

Jasper is the Vice President Internal and leads the advocacy committee at DUC. Their focus is on lobbying and policy writing, working with students' union and university executives to enact change. Outside of DUC, Jasper also does work in climate justice and queer/trans advocacy. Their favourite treat is a cappuccino with oat milk with a Nanaimo bar.

Nebula Shen, SFU Education

A settler/squatter on the lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and sel̓íl̓witulh nations, Nebula (沈霁) is proudly queer, mixed-race, and a former youth in government care. They are a student, activist, and educator with a passion for learning through play. At SFU, they study Education, with minors in Indigenous Studies and English.

Adriana Cumming-Teicher, Digitial Democracy Institute

Adriana is currently working as a researcher at the Digital Democracy Institute. Her view of the world comes from being trans, disabled, ADHD, bi-racial - also a daughter, a girlfriend, a political activist, and giving soul. They always want to pass forward the love, safety and comfort the people they’ve loved give them. She is of mixed heritage - her mother is from Bogota, Colombia, and her dad comes from a half Irish, half Scottish lineage. She gets excited about the opportunity to provide a safe, understanding, and engaged place for disabled students!

Den Arias, DNA Social Media Coordinator and Public Relations Organizer

My name is Den. I am autistic ADHDer who also identifies as disabled. My role at SFU DNA is social media coordinator and public relations organizer. More about me: I am from Mexico, currently studying at SFU a bachelor's in resource management and a minor in biology. I am really passionate about disability intersectionality and about sustainability, and I am always open to learning new things!

Joel Gilani, DNA Treasurer

With a robust background in facilitating support groups and serving on various accessibility committees, including SFU's inaugural Accessibility Committee and the Student Society's Accessibility Committee, Joel is deeply committed to advancing disability rights and inclusion within educational institutions. Joel's involvement extends beyond the university setting, as he played a pivotal role in revamping and relaunching KPMG Canada's Campus, Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Committee during his co-op term. His contributions were instrumental in fostering a campus recruiting process that encourages diverse student representation and celebrates individuality. Joel is excited to discuss critical issues surrounding the perception of student services, particularly peer-run services, as non-essential, and the impact this has on disabled and neurodivergent students' experiences and accessibility within educational institutions. Join Joel and other panellists for a thought-provoking conversation on advocating for essential student services and promoting inclusivity in education.

Participating Community Organizations

Adult ADHD Centre

The Adult ADHD Centre is a leading Adult ADHD medical centre dedicated to providing comprehensive assessments and support for individuals with Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The Adult ADHD Centre provides affordable and accessible assessments across Canada and is dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of ADHD through education and research.

About NEADS’ State of the Schools Tour

NEADS’ State of the Schools Tour is a national hybrid tour visiting disabled student groups at their local post-secondary institutions to provide important advocacy, networking, and capacity-building opportunities while informing our quarterly State of the Schools publication on accessibility and accommodations in post-secondary education.

The State of the Schools Tour is a component of NEADS’ Virtual Access 4 All project, which provides educational support and awareness aimed at students with disabilities transitioning into and through post-secondary education. The State of the Schools Tour, and the Virtual Access 4 All project, are generously supported by Employment and Social Development Canada's Goal Getters Program.

About NEADS’ Virtual Access 4 All Project

NEADS' Virtual Access for All Project provides educational support and awareness aimed at students with disabilities transitioning into post-secondary education. Accessibility and accommodations resources are provided through our quarterly State of the Schools publications, while our regular webinar series addresses topics such as self-advocacy, accessing accommodations at work and school, and transitioning into the workforce. Further, financial support is available through NEADS' Student Awards Program and Accessibility Resilience Program. Virtual Access for All is generously supported by Employment and Social Development Canada's Goal Getters Program, and has recently received an upward amendment in response to positive reception.

Carly Fox (she/her/elle), carly.fox@neads.ca, NEADS Communications and Partnerships Director |Directrice des communications et des partenariats de NEADS

National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)
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Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6

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