A Brief Description of Our Programs

The first Canadian university degree program in community rehabilitation & disability studies small, dynamic, hands-on, responding to a field that is constantly changing Inter-disciplinary program, with cross- disability focus

Vision An inclusive community

Mission Challenging theories, assumptions and practices at the intersection of disability, community & rehabilitation through critical analysis, education, innovation and development.

History 1950s on - rapid development of community services led to need for new kind of human service personnel 1960s - Community college programs developed - 2-year human service programs in areas child care, mental retardation workers, etc – “National mental retardation manpower model” promotes Career Ladder concept Alberta establishes first disability & community studies University degree programs at University of Calgary

History (continued) Bachelor’s Degree –Early emphasis on concepts and practices related to developmental disabilities, quality of life, community development –By late 1980s – emphasis is cross-disability, inter- sectoral Master’s and Doctorate degree programs from beginning – wide range of interest areas Collaborative models of teaching, service and research with community agencies and organizations of/for persons with disabilities

Our Role 1.Disability inquiry 2.Participatory action research 3.Advocacy for social justice 4.Teaching and mentoring learners, researchers, and advocates 5.Fostering critical thinking of rehabilitation practitioners

Undergraduate options 1.Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation (BCR) Degree - 2 years built-upon a college diploma - 4 years interdisciplinary degree 2.Joint BCR degree with other degrees (Psychology, Nursing, Education) 3.Minor in CRDS (Kinesiology, Management) 4.Specializations for professional certification (Registered Rehabilitation Professional)

Communities of Learners

Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies Regional Campuses

BCR Course Emphases Pre-requisites - history & systems, approaches to community rehabilitation, Introduction to professional conduct (230 hours of practica), communication skills, human science (e.g. biology), health, etc. 20 one-semester courses in areas of: –Disability Studies –Individual Rehabilitation – –Health & disability – –Senior Community Rehabilitation options - –Specialization - –Management -

Career Options Community services (e.g. all disability fields including developmental disabilities, mental health, traumatic brain injury, others) Private sector programs - insurance, workers compensation/ return to work Education programs - in schools, early intervention, secondary education programs, etc. Agency managers Pursue second degree or graduate studies

d

GRADUATES 2004

Graduate programs Professional Diploma - for those with another degree wishing orientation to disability and community rehabilitation (8 courses) Masters degree - course based and thesis based (Pan-Canadian Master’s degree) Ph.D. - Interdisciplinary or disciplinary base Graduate students typically have excellent prior experience, and are either pursuing or in leadership positions in community agency, government, educational institutions and so on.

Research - current examples Senior’s Resiliency Accessibility for Disabled Employees in the New Economy Disability in Child Welfare Collaborative change strategies in reform of mental health services in Russia Universal Design of Online Learning Inquiry-Based Inclusive Education

International activity exemplars Gaza – Education of community workers and educators (1985 – 1999) International study of self-directed employment (with ILO, DPI) (1992 – ’96) North American student and faculty exchange programs (1998 – present) Russia – mental health system transformation (1997 – present) Bosnia – evaluation of tri-lateral collaboration in developing CBR services (2003 – present) Leadership in developing Undergraduate program standards through CORE and NCRE (2000 to present)

North American Mobility Exchange Trilateral

Student Exchanges

The Future? Small programs are always vulnerable – which means we need to stay nimble Seeking re-alignment within University from home in Faculty of Education to home in Health Sciences