Inclusive Education: Implementing the CRPD in Canada and the Global South

2014-2015 Disability, Human Rights and the Law Seminar with guests Charles Ngwena (O’Brien Fellow in Residence), Futsum Abbay (Research Associate, CHRLP), Roberta Thomson (Accessible and Inclusive Education Course Instructor, UDL Faculty Toolkit Project Coordinator).

Abstract

Our first seminar investigates the institution of education as a built environment. The right to an education is enshrined in article 24 of the CRPD. The effective implementation of the Convention, however, requires translation to a domestic context. This seminar will explore whether and how the CRPD may be implemented in a meaningful way for rights-holders. Investigating the global and the local, it will bring together South African and Canadian perspectives on inclusive education to explore both challenges and best practices, as well as revealing the drawbacks of rhetorical posturing. Professeur Frédéric Mégret will be our moderator.

The event follows the format of a teaching seminar and required reading resources will be circulated ahead of time. RSVP to chrlp.law [at] mcgill.ca by September 17. A light lunch will be provided.

For more information: www.mcgill.ca/humanrights/events/disability-seminar-series

About the series

Built environments and accessibility of persons with disabilities: The concept of “built environment” refers to all environments constructed by humans. Built environments are not only physical constructs but also social, legal and economic constructs such as families, schools and workplaces. This seminar series will provide insights into the reality of different environments, whether or not people with disabilities are fully able to benefit from them, and the barriers that may be preventing full and equal access.