Advancing Critical Disability Studies for Equity and Social Change (ACCESS)
Lead Researcher - Chavon Niles
Research Platforms
Research Overview
The ACCESS (Advancing Critical Disability Studies for Equity and Social Change) Lab aims to answer the question: How can CDS and Health Equity frameworks be used to mobilize rehabilitation and health services research to address the growing disparities in outcomes experienced by underserved communities locally and globally? Our research includes a strong commitment to community engagement, focusing on three central areas:
- Moving towards Health Equity: Understanding Disability in the Global and Local Context
- We explore the experiences of disabled immigrants accessing rehabilitation and health services in Canada and globally. This research aims to highlight how context, culture, and colonialism shape understandings of disability and to advocate for more inclusive health systems.
- Understanding Dominant Discourses of Care Work: Experiences of Disabled Women Who are Both Caregivers and Care Receivers
- This research focuses on the experiences of disabled women who navigate dual roles as caregivers and care receivers. By examining their unique challenges, we aim to co-create supportive health and rehabilitation services.
- Equity, Diversity, Indigeneity, Inclusion, Accessibility (EDIIA) Education, Training, and Evaluation Among Physical Therapy and Other Rehabilitation Students, Faculty, and Clinicians
- We address the gap in EDIIA program curricula, aiming to embed these principles in academic and clinical practices for more accessible and patient-centered care. This research contributes to the development of educational frameworks and training programs for future healthcare providers.
Research Projects
Untold stories of immigrants with disabilities during Covid-19 in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) - Inequities and Change
The purpose of this project is to help rehab service providers learn more about the experiences of immigrant with disabilities living in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, and the barriers and facilitators they faced during COVID-19. This project will share the stories of some immigrants with disabilities, speak to their participation (or non-participation) in navigating rehabilitation, health and social services, and highlight the support available to them during COVID-19.
Understanding the unique barriers and facilitators in navigating rehabilitation services in Guyana
The purpose of this project is to better understand the unique barriers and facilitators in navigating rehabilitation services in Guyana from the perspective of rehabilitation providers and people with disabilities. This study offers an opportunity for collaboration and learning to occur across continents, learn from those in Guyana and work to inform the delivery of rehabilitation services.
Currently, there is no country-wide data on rehabilitation but there is great interest to both achieve this and build upon the recent growth of rehabilitation services across Guyana. Given that there are greater resources being invested into rehabilitation services in Guyana, this research can support in guiding this growth. Your perspective and experience as a rehabilitation provider will support this important work.
Challenging Dominant Discourses of Care Work: Understanding the Experiences of Disabled Women Who Are Both Caregivers and Care Receivers Navigating Health and Rehabilitation Services in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)
The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of disabled women who are both caregivers and care receivers, focusing on the barriers and facilitators they encounter navigating health and rehabilitation services. This research aims to highlight the unique challenges faced by this often marginalized group and to document recommendations for creating supportive health and rehabilitation environments.
People
Staff
Bhavnita Mistry is the research manager for the ACCESS Lab
Rana Hamdy is an RA in the ACCESS Lab
Kelsey Vickers is an RA in the ACCESS Lab
Join our Team:
At the Access Lab, we invite you to join us in creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Dr. Niles is currently accepting graduate students in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (RSI). Please forward a cover letter, writing sample, CV and unofficial transcript to chavon.niles@utoronto.ca.
Contact: For more information contact Chavon Niles at chavon.niles@utoronto.ca.