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From Feb. 23 to March 4, Western's Disability Studies Steering Committee is holding virtual “listening sessions” with �������� Community Members. These sessions are sponsored by students, faculty, and staff working on issues related to disability and access at Western, and now we are currently forming an Institute of Disability Studies.

Read more on our process here:



Topics for discussion will include:

• Establishing a new cross-department institute in Disability Studies
• Feedback on the pre-proposal document that was approved by the Provost’s Office
• Mission and focus of an institute
• Leadership structure

Additional topics for discussion can also include:

• Building a new interdisciplinary minor in Disability Studies
• Creating new courses across the majors that address issues of disability culture, access, and ableism
• Addressing issues of ableism and unfair treatment of students and faculty with disabilities
• Building networks between Western and the surrounding community on issues of disability

We are holding listening sessions for both students and faculty:

Tuesday, February 23, 3:00 pm – For Steering Committee Members:  . Add this event to your calendar by clicking this link:


Tuesday, February 23, 5:00 pm –  For all �������� Community members:  . Add this event to your calendar by clicking this link:


Wednesday, March 3, 5:00 pm  – Student-only Listening Session:  . Add this event to your calendar by clicking this link:


Thursday, March 04, 10:00 am – For Steering Committee Members:  . Add this event to your calendar by clicking this link:



If you cannot make these listening sessions, or if you would like to also provide feedback in another way, you are invited to respond to this brief
survey about the Disabilities Studies Institute through the end of March.