Citizen Action Hall
Citizen explorers graduate from the Citizen Action Hall program at the U of A
The Citizen Action Hall is a unique approach to exploring ideas and action that support engaged citizenship.
The Citizen Action Hall course is offered twice a year at the University of Alberta when individuals with disabilities, University of Alberta students, disability workers, and researchers gather together to explore the notion of citizenship. The exploration takes many forms. For example:
People with disabilities lecture on disability and citizenship issues; a radical approach in an academic setting that has opened dynamic dialogue around ethics, rights and community inclusion.
Students use cameras and their journals to explore the idea of ‘citizenship,’ bringing the views of the community back to class.
Project Citizenship stories are watched together, analyzed for themes and then reflected on how a story might inspire people to be active citizens.
Achievements to date
So far we have led 5 Citizen Action Hall courses on the University of Alberta Campus. We run the Action Hall each semester.
People with disabilities have developed plans to start micro enterprises like a dog walking business.
One Action Hall launched 5 Geocache boxes into the Edmonton community with curated stories and artifacts about citizenship and disability issues. These boxes are found and interacted with by the Edmonton community.
Project Objectives
Support citizens with disabilities, University of Alberta researchers, students, activists and Skills Society support workers as they deepen their understanding of engaged citizenship, community activism, rights, pride and disability issues.
Offer two Citizen Action Hall Courses annually at the University of Alberta each supporting 10 U of A students, 10 people with disabilities and 10 Skills Society Community Support Workers.
Impact
People with disabilities are active community members in volunteer organizations, they start small businesses, increasing independence, sense of self worth and community engagement
People with disabilities are leaders of discussion, overturning negative stereotypes and providing a positive experience in the public realm
University students are proud to graduate from the course and take their new-found knowledge of people with disabilities into the community and their careers
Thank you to our past sponsors
University of Alberta Community Service-Learning
University of Alberta Alumni Association
Field Law Grant
Leadership
