By Robb Nickel

The Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS)

The Canadian Centre on Disability Studies (CCDS) is a consumer-directed, university-affiliated centre dedicated to research, education and information dissemination on disability issues. The Centre promotes full and equal participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of society. CCDS is guided by the philosophies of independent living and community living, emphasizing human rights, self-determination, interdependence, equality, a cross-disability focus, and full and valued participation in the community. Members of the disability community are key participants in directing CCDS policies and activities.

Housed in Winnipeg, CCDS is affiliated with the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg. CCDS board members, research committee members and research associates are located in educational, advocacy and research centres across Canada. Incorporated in 1995, CCDS has its roots in Canadian disability organizations, community groups and representatives from different faculties at a number of universities across Canada. A collaborative effort between the community, University of Manitoba and the Government of Canada led to the establishment of an Endowment Fund to make the Centre a reality. CCDS has established a research department focussing on Disability Studies, as well as research project partnerships with disability organizations, universities and colleges, governments and public and private agencies locally, nationally and internationally. In partnership with the University of Manitoba, a national summer institute on curriculum for Disability Studies programs was held in 1996. CCDS has established an Inter-disciplinary Graduate Program in Disability Studies in conjunction with the University of Manitoba. The first classes began in the fall of 2003.

Since its inception, CCDS has participated in over 40 research projects divided into five broad categories: Entrepreneurship, Education/Training/Advocacy, Lobbying government, History, and Information dissemination. CCDS recently published two history books: In Pursuit of Equal Participation: Canada and Disability at Home and Abroad by Henry Enns and Aldred H. Neufeldt (Captus Press 2003) , and Making Equality: History of Advocacy and Persons with Disabilities in Canada by Deborah Stienstra and Aileen Wight Felske with Colleen Watters (Captus Press 2003).

Through its international projects, CCDS has developed networks across Canada and the world including the United States, Russia, Ukraine, Zimbabwe and other countries. In its various initiatives, CCDS has collaborated with Queen’s University; Laval University; the University of Calgary; the University of Manitoba; the University of Winnipeg; universities in Russia, Ukraine, Mexico and the United States; and with a variety of disability organizations, academics, researchers and individuals.

Website: www.disabilitystudies.ca
Contact: Dr. Olga Krassioukova-Enns, Interim Executive Director
internationaldirector@disabilitystudies.ca