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2026

CRDSSA Disability Research Conference

Knowledge as Resistance:
Reimagining Systems &
Possibilities for Disability Justice

Saturday, March 14 2026 
8:00am - 3:30pm 
Sinneave Family Foundation
(Child Development Centre)

Presents...

This years conference brings together students, researchers, and community members to explore how knowledge can function as a tool for resistance and transformation, to exchange ideas and imagine new possibilities for disability justice. This day will be safe space to think boldly, speak critically, and build collectively.

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Whether your work is empirical, theoretical, or grounded in community practice and lived experience, your contributions matter. Join us in co-creating knowledge that challenges ableism, reclaims possibility, and moves us closer to equitable systems and practices.​​​

Stream the Conference!

Please note: The live stream will only capture presentations happening in the green room. To view presentations in the blue room, feel free to check out the pre-recorded videos linked above.

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Keynote Speakers

Dr. Lennard Davis Lennard J. Davis is a Distinguished Professor (Emeritus) at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the Departments of English, Disability Studies, and Medical Education. He is the author or editor of over 25 books and numerous articles on the subjects of disability, Deafness, critical theory, and poverty.

Dr. Lennard Davis

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Dr. Ami Tint Dr. Ami Tint (she/her) is a registered psychologist and Azrieli Accelerator Assistant Professor in Neurodiversity and Intersectionality in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. Dr. Tint’s research uses multiple methods to understand how to improve supports and services with and for people with neurodevelopmental conditions, with a particular focus on the mental health needs of Autistic girls and women. Dr. Tint strives to achieve meaningful community partnerships and engages in coproduced research to inform clinical practice.

Dr. Ami Tint

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Dr. Bonnie Lashewicz Bonnie Lashewicz, is a Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada. As part of the Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies specialization, Bonnie leads a critical theory driven program of qualitative and mixed methods research about responsibilities and identities in relation to disability, mental health and/or chronic disease diagnoses. Bonnie’s program is built on concepts of autonomy, identity, busyness and moral distress and her approaches include conversation analysis and grounded theory. Her current projects are about paid and unpaid caregiving with a focus on how gender, caregiving and mental health converge.

Dr. Bonnie Lashewicz

FAQ

Who Can Present? Anyone! We encourage all undergraduate and graduate students as well as community members to present.

Who can present?

Is The Conference Free? Yes! This conference will be free of charge for everyone.

Is the conference free?

What accessibility measures are in place? The Child Development Center is a fully accessible facility, with working elevators and priority handicapped parking. This event will also have a sensory room, a prayer room, live captioning cart services as well as breakfast and lunches that accommodate for all dietary restrictions. If desired, attendees are also welcome to bring their own food.

What accessibility measure are in place?

What Can I Present? Presentations must highlight contributions to disability studies and/or the mental health field. Apart from formal research, presentations can also be on a variety of topics: - 3 minute Thesis - A paper you wrote in class - A presentation you did as a group (you may present these with your group or independently) - A practicum project - A topic you think needs to be discussed - Anything else!

What can I present?

What does the 'hybrid' conference mean? In the spirit of accessibility, this conference will take place in-person but will also be live streamed on Youtube. We will also be able to accommodate any persons who prefer to present online.

What does the 'hybrid' conference mean?

Where will it be streamed? The conference will be streamed on YouTube on our channel. If you're interested in attending or presenting online, be sure to register as a online attendee/presenter to get more information about what to expect!

Where will the conference be streamed?

Abstracts

Looking Back

Accessibility Partners

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Let's Connect!

Feel free to send us an email: crdssa.ucalgary@gmail.com 

Check out our other social medias below!

  • Instagram
  • Discord
  • Linktree
  • LinkedIn

We respectfully acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations).

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