Professional Development
for Human Services
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I finally figured out that I had the right to be disabled; and that I was under no obligation to anyone to minimize my disability. |
THE RIGHT TO BE DISABLED
Most people view individuals with disabilities as being "deficient" in some way and believe that by minimizing their disability the person will increase their quality of life. Norman Kunc challenges this perception, claiming that people with physical and mental disabilities reflect the diversity of the human community. He contends that we need to place far less of an emphasis on "fixing" people and instead focus on the inherent assets and gifts that each person brings to the community and strive to find ways of welcoming ALL people into our midst.
Type of Presentation: Keynote or Workshop
Length of Session: 75 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: Unlimited
EVERYTHING WORTH KNOWING, I LEARNED FROM BEING DISABLED
It is a tragedy that some people are born without disabilities. Because of fate’s flip of a coin, non-disabled people are destined to live lives desperately trying to prove that they’re worthy human beings, measuring up to arbitrary standards of normalcy, perfection, and worth. It seems so unfair that only disabled people should have the opportunity to recognize that the standards are inadequate, not the people. Norman Kunc (lucky enough to be born disabled) and Emma Van der Klift (lucky enough to have lived with a disabled person) finally share the invaluable life lessons that disabled people have known for years. These include:
· There’s not much point being in first place if there’s no finish line;
· The usual way of doing things invariably is the most expensive
the least efficient;
· Unsolicited help is rarely relevant and even less appreciated;
· The need for immediate success ruins the fun of learning;
· The quickest way to make yourself feel inadequate is to compare
yourself to other people;
…...and many more
Type of Presentation: Keynote or Workshop
Length of Session: 45 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: Unlimited
THE HABITS OF EXCLUSION
In her book, "You Can't Say You Can't Play," Vivian Gussin Paley writes, "It is the Habit of Exclusion that grows strong; the identity of those being excluded is not a major obstacle." These words succinctly articulate our society’s tendency to rely upon exclusion as a generic solution to social problems.
In this presentation, Norman Kunc looks at a number of these habits of exclusion and contends that these habits not only usually compound the original problem but often keep us from discovering more creative and effective alternatives to these issues.
Type of Presentation: Keynote or Workshop
Length of Session: 75 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: Unlimited
Norm and Emma, through wit, intelligence and substance - and without cheap sentiment - are able to help us see the notions of ability and disability in a fresh and liberating way. Once you've heard their message, you'll be afar richer person.
David Chojnacki |
THE OTHER SIDE OF THERAPY: Disability, Normalcy, and the Tyranny of Rehabilitation
n this presentation, Norman Kunc points out that individuals with disabilities have "the right to be disabled." He describes a series of events in his life which led him to the realization that disability is not a deficiency but a vital part of the diversity of the human community. Norman recounts his experience with rehabilitation and questions whether therapy really serves the best interests of the "client" or whether it is a symptom of a society which idolizes normalcy and perfection. He examines some of the assumptions which underlie rehabilitation and the harmful impact that therapy can have on an individual. Norman encourages parents to focus on their child's "physical well-being" rather than attempting to eradicate the disability through relentless therapy.
Type of Presentation: Keynote or Workshop
Length of Session: 75 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: UnlimitedI
PATERNALISM, & PROFESSIONALISM
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"The question is not ‘How do we support people;’ but ‘How do we support people in respectful ways." |  |
HELL-BENT ON HELPING: Friendship, Benevolence, and the Politics of Help
Friendship circles, buddy systems, supported work options, and micro-boards are some of the means used to assist individuals with disabilities to gain full membership in our classrooms and communities. Despite genuine efforts and admirable intent, these supports have often perpetuated attitudes of charity, benevolence, and paternalism. While benevolence and charity towards others are often seen as admirable goals, they do not necessarily presuppose equity or respect. In fact, when benevolence is used to justify decisions made on behalf of others, it may have a darker side. In current times of financial restraint and deficit reduction at any cost, people with disabilities are increasingly seen as non-contributing, expensive, and even dispensable members of society. The restriction and removal of people with disabilities has often been viewed as an inevitable part of fiscal restraint, but more insidiously, is put forward as a benevolent act done in their "best interests".
In this workshop, Emma and Norm examine benevolence in its various forms, whether it be an unsolicited act of help, a telethon, or its most extreme, euthanasia. Emma and Norm will suggest that "an act of goodwill" often serves the helper as much (if not more) than those helped. The rights of people with disabilities will become permanent only when we are able to move beyond benevolence and achieve a social perspective where disability itself is valued. They will explore what it means to value disability, and initiate dialogue on the difference between working on people and working with people; a dialogue that will hopefully continue after the workshop. In this way, people with disabilities might move closer to finally escaping the role of the "perpetually needy" and achieve true equity, respect, and safety in our communities.
Type of Presentation: Keynote or Workshop
Length of Session: 75 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: Unlimited
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"A central problem in the human service system is that it is founded upon a non-disabled perception of disability. This often leads professionals to respond with remediation or benevolence rather than equity and respect. | |
BAKING A CAKE IN A WASHING MACHINE: Exploring The Intrinsic Problems of Human Service Bureaucracies
The problems which arise in the human service system are usually attributed to insufficient funding, staff attitudes, or "client" resistance. Although these may all be relevant issues, many of the frustrations arise because we are attempting to provide individualized services within organizational structures that were specifically designed to eliminate deviation. As such, it is inevitable that the needs of individuals will continually be in conflict with the needs of the system.
In this workshop, Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift elaborate the specific aspects of this dilemma and show how a different conceptualization of the problem can generate new and alternative ways of supporting individuals with disabilities.
Type of Presentation: Keynote or Workshop
Length of Session: 75 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: Unlimited
DISABLING PROFESSIONALS: The Social Construction of Deficiency
John McKnight writes, "…the power to label people deficient and declare them in need is the basic tool of control and oppression in modern industrialized societies…"
In this presentation, Norman Kunc discusses how the creation of the human sciences and an increased belief in professionalism has led "diverse citizens" to be classified as "deficient clients." This socially constructed concept of disability not only has caused disabled citizens been denied many of the opportunities afforded to their non-disabled citizens, but has also undermined the credibility of their own experience. Norman Kunc explains how understanding these issues can help advocates become more powerful in situations where the power balance is skewed in favour of the professionals.
Type of Presentation: Keynote or Workshop
Length of Session: 75 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: Unlimited
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"What we call ‘behavior problems’ are often situations of legitimate conflict; we just get to call them behavior problems because we have more power than the other person. " |  |
LEARNING TO STAND STILL: Supporting Individuals With Difficult Behavior
The key to supporting individuals with difficult behavior is the ability to provide clear expectations within the context of a respectful relationship. Expectations without support can lead to resentful compliance or even violent non-compliance. On the other hand, support without expectations can foster confusion and uncertainty.
Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift describe how support workers can blend expectations and support so they can help individuals without resorting to punitive or coercive practices. This workshop also outlines seven possible functions of behavior: Lack of Knowledge, Communication, Equalization of Power, Hidden Benefit, Survival Strategy, Cultural/Familial Norms, and Biochemical Factors. The participants will be given a series of questions which can assist them in identifying the particular function of a behavior. They will also learn various problem-solving techniques that can be used to uncover creative ways of responding to individuals
Type of Presentation: Keynote or Workshop
Length of Session: 75 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: Unlimited
"If This Is The Right Thing To Do, Then Why Is It So Hard?" Managing Conflict In Human Service Organizations.
It is exciting that an increasing number of people with mental disabilities are moving out of institutions and being supported to live in our communities. However, many agencies which support adults with mental disabilities are discovering that there can be significant ambiguity and disagreement over the most helpful form of support. If this diversity of views is not acknowledged and valued, then the differences between staff members can compromise an organizations' ability to provide quality service to the people it serves.
In this workshop, Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift point out that conflict can be a positive process which not only provides increased clarity and alternative solutions in contentious situations, but can promote a climate of trust and group cohesion within an organization. Using examples which pertain specifically to human service organizations, Norman and Emma help participants learn the main principles and skills of conflict management so that they are better able to channel conflict into a constructive process.
Type of Presentation: Workshop
Length of Session: 75 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: 200 participants
Dear Norm and Emma Sallee Lowery |
INTERPERSONAL ALCHEMY: Turning Resistance Into Co-operation
Learning to work with people is relatively easy; the real challenge is learning how to work with people who won’t work with you. Faced with resistance or refusal, most of us become increasing coercive and find ourselves attempting to "work on" people rather than work with them.
Drawing on the fields of conflict resolution and negotiation, Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift help participants expand their repertoire of responses to obstruction and opposition so that they can sidestep many of the power struggles which seem endemic in residences, programs, and workplaces. Participants learn ways of negotiating contentious issues so that they are better able maintain a respectful relationships without compromising their own views.
Type of Presentation: Workshop
Length of Session: 75 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: Unlimited
The 3 R’s of Support
Several years ago, The Canadian Employment and Immigration Commission surveyed over 5000 high school dropouts and discovered that there were basically three reasons why students dropped out of high school: students felt the curriculum wasn’t relevant, they felt they weren’t respected by teachers, and they had few relationships in the school.
Apart from providing information as to why students drop out of school, this research also provides us with some valuable insights on what it takes to create a sense of belonging in residences, programs, and workplaces. In this workshop, participants are guided through a co-operative learning exercise in which they discover specific, practical strategies for building and maintaining a sense of belonging among the individuals they support and/or their colleagues.
Type of Presentation: Co-operative learning Workshop
Length of Session: 75 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: 200 participants
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LEGALIZING EUTHANASIA
AND ASSISTED SUICIDE
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“It’s not autonomy that’s driving the Euthanasia Movement, its economics.” | |
KILLING ME SOFTLY: A Disability Rights Perspective On Legalizing Euthanasia
The right to end one’s own life is usually seen as a step forward in personal autonomy and compassionate common sense. But could the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide seriously jeopardize the lives of elderly, sick, and disabled people? In these current times of financial restraint and deficit reduction at any cost, people with disabilities are increasingly seen as non-contributing, expensive, and even dispensable members of society. However, the restriction and removal of people with disabilities is rarely put forwards as an inevitable part of fiscal restraint, but more insidiously, as a benevolent act done in their "best interests".
In this presentation, Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift outline many the serious concerns that many disability rights advocates have about the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Type of Presentation: Keynote or Workshop
Length of Session: 75 - 90 minutes
Max. Audience Size: Unlimited