Roundtable - Disability & the Individual: Capacity, Communication and Self-Expression

Organized by the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism, this roundtable attempts to shed light on the power of modern, communication-enhancing technologies in enabling persons with disabilities (PwDs) to be self-advocates.

With the participation of:

• Stefanie Blain-Moraes: Professor at the School of Physical and Occupational Health (McGill)
• Jean Horvais: Professor at the Département d'éducation et formation spécialisées (UQAM)
• Patrick Fougeyrollas: Professor and Researcher for Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Université Laval)
• Moderated by Sébastien Jodoin: Professor at the Faculty of Law (McGill)

Lunch served, but space is limited: kindly confirm your presence to chlrp.law [at] mcgill.ca

Social media and other online platforms have opened the gates of digital activism and advocacy, which facilitates PwDs to assert their autonomy, to take over their own narratives, to create vast online networks and to raise awareness of their rights, priorities, concerns and achievements. In the age of the internet, we invite speakers to elaborate on how e-advocacy and innovative uses of digital networks in general are shaping social participation for PwDs.

We also aim to expand the discussion on the limits of digital empowerment and digital presence, including any possible adverse effects to the overuse of digital platforms.

Background

The adoption of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities marked a turning point in acknowledging and highlighting the importance of autonomy in the context of disability. Over the past several years, activists, advocates, communities, institutions and governments have all contributed to challenging legal norms and influencing attitudinal change with the aim of fostering an inclusive society. As we approach the third decade of the twenty-first century, technological advances increasingly play a role in enabling more meaningful autonomy, empowerment and dignity for persons with disabilities. This can take the form of liberation, assistive and rehabilitative technologies.

Autonomy is a central theme in the U.N. Convention. With the rapid advancement in artificial intelligence, we strive to understand how new technologies enable individuals to enjoy the rights promised by domestic and international law. Through technology, persons with disabilities (PwD) may overcome significant social, institutional and economic barriers, yet at the same time these same kinds of barriers restrict access to technological advancement to many. With the aim of informing law and policy, the series will explore both the potential of technology as well as the limits and ethical considerations.

This event is eligible for inclusion as 1.5 hours of continuing legal education as reported by members of the Barreau du Québec.