These ideas are central to the work of UM Distinguished Visiting Lecturer Peter Simcock, Ph.D., School of Education and Social Work, from Birmingham City University, United Kingdom. Dr. Simcock will be in Winnipeg hosting events related to his research and experience in the physical and sensory disability field. His areas of specialization include social work and sensory impairment, deafness, deafblindness and dual sensory loss as well as working with disabled adults and older people.

“We are an ageing population, and as the 2021 UK census data reveal, if ageing does anything, it makes us more diverse, not less.  It is thus essential to examine the experiences of older people through an intersectional lens, including the intersections of age and disability.  In adopting a strengths based perspective to these phenomena, I hope to challenge negative stereotypes of older disabled people as passive and lacking in agency, and highlight to participants the competence and unique contributions this population make to all our lives,” says Dr. Simcock.

“Disability is a natural part of the human condition. Disabled people comprise the world’s largest minority over one billion worldwide. Yet, despite our numbers, the experience and lives of disabled people are not well understood. Education is the key to begin to address misconceptions about disability and disabled people,” says Nancy Hansen, Disability Studies.

The Faculty of Social Work and the Interdisciplinary Master’s Program in Disability Studies are excited to host Dr. Simcock and bring disability research and resources to the UM community and to practitioners working with disabled people and older adults ageing into disability.

“Faculty of Social Work educates social workers to work with people with disabilities from an empowerment perspective and conducts research to help improve services for people with disabilities,” says Sid Frankel, Ph.D, Faculty of Social Work.

Dr. Simcock will share his knowledge, research and experience through an in-service workshop and a public lecture and will be available to meet with UM faculty and students the week of July 17, 2023.

Crossing the Divide between Ageing and Disability: A Workshop for Social Workers
In-service workshop for faculty, students and practicing professionals

Event details:
Date: Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (CDT)
Location: Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, 432 Ellice Avenue
Free event, registration required.
To register and for more information, please visit: https://umanitoba.ca/social-work/community-and-partners#distinguished-guest-lecture-series

The Strength of Disability: Managing, Coping, Innovating and Contributing to Society
Public lecture open to faculty, students, practicing professionals and interested members of the community.

Event details:
Date: Thursday, July 20, 2023
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (CDT)
Location: Carol Shields Auditorium, Millennium Public Library, 251 Donald Street
Free event, no registration required, open to all
Live stream available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f46AFUZOWY
For more information, please visit: https://umanitoba.ca/social-work/community-and-partners#distinguished-guest-lecture-series

For more information on connecting with Peter Simcock, please email Berea Henderson @ Berea.henderson@umanitoba.ca