Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Reimagining Disability Support Systems

Current disability supports in Canada keep people surviving, not thriving. Thriving means more than financial security — it includes wellbeing, belonging, autonomy, and growth. Policies must shift from deficit-based to person-centered, expanding real financial supports, ensuring accessibility, and valuing all forms of participation, guided by the voices of people with disabilities.In this episode of "Disability Dialogues," research student Justin Manning sits down with Dr. Eun Jung to talk about the “Thriving versus Surviving" project. They discuss the limitations of current disability supports in Canada, emphasizing the need to move beyond basic survival toward true inclusion and flourishing. Justin shares insights from his research on policy and lived experience, highlighting the importance of autonomy, belonging, and meaningful participation for people with disabilities. The conversation challenges deficit-based models and calls for holistic, equity-driven approaches to disability policy and community wellbeing.The project challenges us to reimagine disability policies in Canada. It calls for a shift from a system that merely prevents hardship to one that actively enables flourishing. By centering the voices and experiences of people with disabilities, investing in holistic.Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:Learn about the "Thriving versus Surviving" project and its objectives.Understand the gaps in the current disability support systems and their impact on quality of life.Discover the relationship between poverty reduction strategies and employment for people with disabilities.ResourcesExplore the CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing’s ⁠Website⁠Justine Manning and Dr. Eun Jung WebsiteDr. Karen Soldatic: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠CERC Profile⁠Toronto Metropolitan University: ⁠Website⁠SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council: ⁠Website⁠ CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research: ⁠Website⁠ NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: ⁠WebsiteMCCSS –  Building a strong foundation for success: Reducing poverty in Ontario WebsiteMLITSD – 2024 annual report: Poverty reduction strategy Government of Ontario WebsiteEnjoyed this Episode?If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Disability Dialogues is a podcast that explores bold ideas, community-led research, and inclusive practices shaping the future of healthcare and wellbeing.Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. Share it with friends and colleagues. Let’s inspire more people to co-create change.Find out more about the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/Thank you for tuning in!