Creating a meaningful change to empower the lives of people with disabilities and support independent living is my true passion. While working as an instructor therapist, I teach children and youth with autism spectrum disorders and other exceptionalities to reach their potential in a positive, learning environment. I am working toward getting my BCBA ( Board-Certified Behavior Analyst) to fulfill my passion which started with my Disability Studies and Psychology major at the University of Windsor and will keep growing. I have the unique privilege of being admitted to Brock University, the only university offering a Master of Applied Disability Studies in Ontario. It is a pleasure to be part of the Disability Studies unity. Hala Chakra, Graduate student @ UWindsor, Combined BA Honours Disability Studies and Psychology and current master student @ Brock University, M.ADS, ABA.
Jessica Fontaine is a Mental Health Social Worker at Regional Children’s Center with Hotel Dieu Grace Health care. Jessica works with children and families who have significant mental health challenges, with a focus on trauma, emotional regulation and play-based therapies. She is a graduate of Wayne State University’s Masters of Social Work program where she specialized in Family Systems. She is also a proud alumnus of the University of Windsor Bachelor of Disability Studies and Psychology (2014) and the Bachelor of Social Work Program (2018). She has worked in child and family mental health, housing support and advocacy, child protection, feminist sexual assault resistance programming, and in clinical practice focusing on eating disorders. In her spare time, Jessica runs a virtual book club and can be found wandering nature conversations taking pictures of mushrooms and plants.
My name is Melissa Hunter and I am a graduate of the Psychology and Disability Studies program at the University of Windsor. During my time there I was a part of many organizations including the Disability Studies Student Association. Through these extracurriculars I have developed and maintained many amazing friendships and relationships that have only made my Windsor experience more incredible. The individuals I have met through the Disability Studies program have been some of the most understanding, kind hearted and inclusive people I have met, and I couldn’t imagine being a part of any other group of students during my undergraduate degree.
Taking the Disability Studies program was the best decision I made, not only for my education but also on a personal level. I gained experience, knowledge and the ability to be more inclusive within the disability community that no other University offers. The small size program makes for a personal and professional relationship built between professors, students, and faculty. The opportunities that the program gives to expand is incredible. I was able to be a leader by being the co-president of the student group and Disability Studies Student representative elected by my peers; both roles I never thought I could do. I am and will always be grateful for the experience and opportunities that Disability Studies gave me as a student of the University of Windsor, as well as a person of the Windsor community.
The combination of Social Justice, Philosophy, Psychology, and core Disability courses provide a rich foundation to critically apply a disability lens to the able-bodied world. My experience in the Disability program allowed me to broaden my perspective and gain a deeper understanding of intersectionality, advocacy and what allyship looks like. The guidance and support from professors created a community that provided growth as well as academic learning. It became evident in placement how the knowledge I gained from disability studies would guide my practice and that I had the required confidence and knowledge to address my concerns. Whatever profession you end up in needs the disability perspective.