Two sledge hockey teams are shaking hands on the ice at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games

UCalgary Breaking Barriers Day 2026

We are delighted to host the University of Calgary Breaking Barriers Day on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

Stay tuned for registration and a call for abstracts!

2026 Keynote Speakers

Join us for an engaging session focused on ableism and disability justice in academic settings. Together, we’ll introduce key concepts, reflect on how these concepts can be meaningfully integrated into our educational, research, administrative, leadership, and clinical practices, and identify one concrete change we can make in our daily academic lives to "break barriers". Come ready to learn, reflect, and leave with actionable steps towards a more just and inclusive university environment.

A middle-aged woman with short, light-brown hair and rectangular glasses sits in a wheelchair and smiles at the camera in front of a blue and green background. She wears a baby pink, long-sleeved polo, black leggings, a vibrant blue and purple scarf tied in a knot, an identification lanyard, and two watches. Her left hand rests on her lap holding a leather leash, and her right hand is outstretched to pet a golden-haired service dog. The dog looks at the camera and wears a blue collar and a blue vest.

Dr. Bonita Sawatzky, PhD (she/her)

Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia

Is it anti-ableism or pro-ability?

Dr. Victoria Fast, PhD

Department of Geography, University of Calgary

Mapping accessibility: What are the gaps at the University of Calgary? TITLE NOT CONFIRMED

A middle-aged person with short grey-brown hair and grey eyes looks takes a selfie. They are wearing a forest-green hoodie with screen-printed letters that read “Access is a practice of love. - Mia Mingus.” There is a wetland and a forest with autumnal colours in the background.

Dr. Danielle Peers, MA, PhD (they/them)

Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation, University of Alberta, and Tier II Canada Research Chair in Disability and Movement Cultures

Disability justice: methodological offerings for transforming research processes, impacts and imaginations

A middle-aged, bald-headed man with a light-brown moustache smiles at the camera against a blue background.

Dr. Matthew Christison, EdD, MEd, BEd (Dist) (he/him)

Former Principal in the Calgary Board of Education

Insights to lessen ableism: individuality, independence, inquiry and innovation

Dr. Stephanie Chipeur, DCL

Faculty of Law, and Azrieli Accelerator Professorship in Law & Disability Policy, University of Calgary

Inclusion in clinical medicine: ensuring fairness for all patients (TITLE NOT CONFIRMED)

Who is it for?

We are organizing this event primarily for faculty, trainees, and highly qualified personnel within the University of Calgary.

Where will it be?

Online
- A secure link will be sent to all those who register for the event
In-person
- Theatre One, Health Sciences Centre (HSC), Foothills Campus
  - 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary
  - Way-finding recommendations below.

Please register as soon as possible so we can anticipate dietary and accessibility needs.

Foothills Medical Centre Parking Map