Ableism and Disability Justice for Social Workers

In Person Seminar

Smith College Campus

Northampton, MA 01060

Instructor: Davey Shlasko, M.Ed. and Hillary Montague-Asp, M.Ed.

Note: Exact classroom to be announced prior to event

Level: Intermediate

CEs: 6

Review CE accreditation and approvals for this course on tab above.

Disability Justice (DJ) is an intersectional framework and movement that understands ableism (the oppression of disabled people/people with disabilities) as deeply entangled with racism, capitalism, heteronormativity and colonization. This training uses a DJ lens to unravel internalized ideas about health, wellness, ability and independence and reflect on our sometimes conflicting desires for independence and interdependence, individual achievement and community support. Participants will reflect on how internalized messages related to disability may show up in interactions with clients and will practice discussing disability with clients in DJ-informed ways. The trainers will share wisdom and experiences from disability communities that have so much to teach us all about advocacy, mutuality, thriving and liberation. The training concludes with opportunities to dream, scheme and plan ways of incorporating DJ into our work, our agencies and beyond.

The presentation is “introductory” in that most people haven’t been exposed to the framework before. However, since it is such a nuanced and intersectional framework, it is valuable even for folks with deep experience in other social justice frameworks.