The Interdisciplinary Master's Program in Disability Studies is a joint program initiative of the University of Manitoba and the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies. This is the first graduate program of its kind in Canada. Experts from community disability organizations are also involved in the course delivery as guest speakers, lecturers or facilitators as provided for by University regulations.

The objectives of this program in Disability Studies are as follows:

• To promote interdisciplinary work in Disability Studies
• To provide graduate students with an opportunity to apply their undergraduate degrees and work experience to an interdisciplinary Master's degree program in Disability Studies
• To meet the demand from students, staff and organizations for persons with disabilities for an interdisciplinary graduate program in Disability Studies
• To facilitate and encourage the involvement of leaders in the disability community and at the University of Manitoba to be educators, researchers and decision makers
• To enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities
• To promote greater access to the University for persons with disabilities.

The Interdisciplinary Master's Degree in Disability Studies program allows the pursuit of interdisciplinary graduate education in this area. It also accommodates students from other faculties and professions who are interested in enhancing their knowledge in the field. The program presents a core body of courses in the field of Disability Studies, while at the same time, providing a broad complement of discipline-specific electives in other departments and faculties.

There is a diverse group of faculty members at the University of Manitoba with expertise in Disability Studies. They are in Architecture, Community Health Sciences, Economics, Education, Family Studies, Medical Rehabilitation, Medicine, Nursing, Physical Education and Recreation, Social Work, Sociology and Women's Studies.

Nancy Hansen

Dr. Nancy Hansen is Director of the Interdisciplinary Master’s Program in Disability Studies at the University of Manitoba. Nancy obtained her PhD from the University of Glasgow. Her thesis examined the impact of education and social policy on the employment experiences of women with physical disabilities. Nancy’s Post-Doctoral Research also at University Glasgow examined women with disabilities access to primary health care. Nancy received an Einstein Research Fellowship examining Disability Studies and the Legacy of Nazi Eugenics. She is past president of the Canadian Disability Studies Association (CDSA). In June 2006, she was Awarded Ireland Canada University Foundation Sprott Asset Management Scholarship to examine the history of People with Disabilities in Ireland.

Dr. Hansen’s research interests include Disability history (eugenics and bioethics), geography of Disability, disabled women’s issues, Disabled people’s access to primary health care, and Disability and the media.