Doctor of Social Work (DSW) students Audrey Allicock, MSW, Elizabeth Hill, MSW, and Donna Simon, MSW, who is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology, recently presented at the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) 71st Annual Conference in Denver.
The conference theme, “It’s Time to Act: Championing Disability Justice and Disability Joy in Social Work,” highlighted the need for social work conversations around disability joy, justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“This experience strengthened my resolve to promote human rights, social justice, and disability equity in social work education. I am hopeful that my overall conference experience and ongoing efforts will lead to a stronger, needs-based Capstone and enhance applied work and interdisciplinary collaboration,” Simon said.
Simon and Allicock presented, “Empowering Direct Support Professionals: Bringing Joy to Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities,” while Hill delivered, “Intersectional Deaf Feminism: A Global Human Rights Framework for Inclusive Social Work Education,” and “Disability Justice Through Social Solidarity Economies: A Global Human Rights-Based Approach,” alongside Anne Deepak, Ph.D., interim DSW program director and associate professor.
“Presenting at the CSWE Annual Program Meeting was an incredible opportunity to highlight the importance of disability justice within social work education. The experience allowed me to bridge my lived experience with scholarly inquiry and underscored how essential it is for social work programs to center universal design frameworks. I was grateful to contribute Monmouth’s voice to this national conversation,” Hill said.
In addition to Deepak, School of Social Work faculty Golam Mathbor, Ph.D., interim dean and professor, Michelle Scott, Ph.D., professor, and Erin Nau, Ph.D., lecturer, also presented at the conference.
The CSWE is the national association representing social work education in the United States with a mission to advance excellence and innovation in social work education.