WELCOME TO YOUR MONTHLY UPDATES

Warm greetings! As we get ready for our third PIRL Institute (see registration link below), we are very grateful for the many people who have offered encouragement for the PIRL Project. Every one of us is facing many challenges and it can at times feel like progress is elusive. Yet, the people in the PIRL Network continue to generate hope for better ways of doing inclusive research in so many ways. 

Please take a few minutes to read this newsletter to hear about some good opportunities.

With hope and gratitude,

Lynn Cockburn

On behalf of the PIRL Steering Committee

UN World Data Forum 2021

Session Theme: Innovative responses to data collection about and by persons with disabilities in the time of COVID-19
Date: October 5, 2021
Link to Event Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU-Uz1aM1A8&ab_channel=IDACRPDForum 
For Information and Questions: elizabeth.lockwood@cbm-global.org

On 5 October during the UN World Data Forum, the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities, the International Disability Alliance, the World Blind Union, and CBM Global Disability Inclusion organized a session at the World Data Forum on “Innovative responses to data collection about and by persons with disabilities in the time of COVID-19.” 

Overarching key messages from the event: 

1. Data disaggregated by disability have to be at the center of policy design and decision-making across the board in order to remove barriers and allow participation of all persons with disabilities, including in current and future emergencies. 
2. A greater focus on mainstreaming the collection of disability data is needed to continuously monitor the status of persons with disabilities and be better prepared for the next disaster.   
3. Recognizing OPD-led data mobilization and creation, building key partnerships, investing in disability data, and building data capacity are vital to addressing disability data gaps. 

If you missed the event, you can watch the recording with International Sign interpretation and captions in English here. CART transcript is also available. 
 

KTDRR’s 2021 Virtual Knowledge Translation Conference

Conference Theme: Research Results for Policy Outcomes.
Date and Time: October 25, 27, and 29, 2021 from 1 – 5 p.m. EST
Link to Register: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6298211/Registration-KTDRR-2021-Online-KT-Conference
 
The Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (KTDRR) is hosting a conference addressing key questions pertinent to any researchers or product developers interested in making a policy impact with their work: Why is it important to engage policy-oriented stakeholders early and what are good ways to do that? What are the best ways to share information with policymakers? What are examples of research-informed policy? The conference will also include presenters who bring policy-relevant expertise to the entire spectrum of a knowledge translation process, from framing research priorities and questions to celebrating successful adoption and use of findings and products. We will also hear from researchers who have led disability-oriented projects that contributed to legislative and organizational policy changes.

The event is free and if you are unable to attend, you can access the recordings later. Make sure you register to access these recordings. 
 

Annual Conference on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021

Conference Theme: Right to Independent Living
Date: 17 November 2021 – 19 November 2021
Link to Register: You will need to create an Academy of European Law (ERA) account to register. Create an account here https://www.era.int/cgi-bin/cms?_SID=9467982ec53902a753047b4e52c7d01b2ad47f9700808826920367&_bereich=leser&_aktion=neu&_sprache=en
For more information: https://www.era.int/cgi-bin/cms?_SID=NEW&_sprache=en&_bereich=artikel&_aktion=detail&idartikel=130347
 

The conference will provide a forum for discussion of the updates and challenges involved in the exercise of the right to independent living in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the relevant EU law, and the European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, as well as of best practice in the field. Key areas of discussion will include EU Disability Strategy 2021-2030, EU Accessibility Act, Rail passengers’ rights, Human rights-compliant EU funding, Recent CJEU case law on disability, Recent jurisprudence of the CRPD Committee, COVID-19, The right to vote of persons with disabilities.

There is a fee to participate in this event. If you register by October 18, 2021, you will obtain a discount. Further discounts are also available for the following groups: EU and ERA patrons, Disability NGOs, Young Lawyers, Full-time staff of universities or comparable academic institutions; Staff of charitable organizations or comparable institutions.

PIRL Institute Registration 

Registrations for the 2021 PIRL institute are ongoing. Come join us on October 28, 29, and 30, 2021 to learn about different ways of presenting and sharing research knowledge such as developing infographics, hosting webinars, telling our stories, and using theatre. Remember to register to receive the program and all other information about the institute. 

Link to Register: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/3N2XFLV 

PIRL Webinars

Webinar Topic 1: Intersection of Climate Change and Disability. 
Webinar Topic 2: Climate Change, Disability and Inequality: A Discussion on how Climate Change Affects YOU

Many Thanks to Daniel Boyco for leading these two thoughtful workshops on climate change, disability, and inequality. In the first webinar, we discussed how using an intersectional approach can help us see how climate impacts are felt unequally by people worldwide, depending on their positionality within existing power relations (such as gender or disability). The second webinar was an extension of the first to help the PIRL team get started on a discussion around the different ways in which we are all affected by climate change. 

Link to Recording of Webinar 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ql0oe7oPNI&ab_channel=PIRLProject

With the upcoming PIRL institute, we will not be hosting webinars this month. Stay tuned for the next webinar in November. 
 

PIRL Podcast Hosts and Reviewers

We are looking for more volunteer hosts and reviewers for the new podcast series called “Inclusive Research with PIRL.” This opportunity is open to all members of the PIRL network. 

Becoming a host can help hone your communication and facilitation skills. You will also have the opportunity to learn more about DID research while connecting with and building new relationships with people in the field. As a reviewer, you will get an early look at the exciting podcast content while developing your attention to detail and ability to ensure that guidelines are followed adequately.  

Please send an email to PIRL@utoronto.ca and indicate whether you are interested in becoming either a host or reviewer. In your message, please let us know what interests you about this opportunity, and what you would bring to the podcasts.

Looking for ways to stay involved with PIRL? These are some things you can do: 

1. Attend PIRL webinars. Offer to present at one!
2. Become a PIRL podcast host or reviewer.
3. Share resources and opportunities that would be of interest to PIRL members.
4. Lastly, feel free to share any ideas or suggestions you may have on ways you can contribute to the PIRL Network and the PIRL Project.

Below you can find links to different resources for professional, academic, and personal development in the area of Disability Inclusive Development Research.