RSI Research Day

Topic: Re-imagining Disabling Cities

Bio: Professor Ron Buliung is a UofT Distinguished Professor of Geographies of Disability and Ableism. He comes to his work through lived family experience. Much of his research has centered on disability in cities with a focus on the experiences of disabled children and youth. In some of his most recent invited lectures and writing he has been tackling the problem of ableism in urban planning and design, with a focus on cycling infrastructure, “walkability”, and the popular 15-minute city concept. Along with his graduate students, he has also conducted research about disability and food access, and disability and road traffic injury. He holds a graduate faculty appointments in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (RSI) and in the Department of Geography and Planning. He teaches the graduate seminar, "Disability, Ableism and Place" in the tri-campus Graduate Programs in Geography and Planning, where he enthusiastically hosts an interdisciplinary group of graduate students from planning, geography, and RSI.

Topic: Advancements in Accessibility Research

Bio: Dr. Novak is a Senior Scientist with the KITE Research Institute-University Health Network, an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, and Graduate Coordinator with Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto. Dr. Novak’s research program focuses on improving our understanding of the barriers to, and facilitators of, safe movement for people with disabilities and older adults within complex environments.  Her work aims to understand the impact of aging and environmental factors on safe and barrier-free access, to reduce the risk of falls, and support aging-in-place strategies for people with and without disabilities. Dr. Novak is actively involved with current changes to the National Building Code of Canada and Canadian accessibility standards to build an age-friendly and safe environment. She is the Vice-Chair of the Outdoor Spaces Technical Committee with Accessibility Standards Canada, and member of Canadian Standards Association’s B651 Committee, focused on the development of accessibility standards for the Built Environment.

Topic: Advancements in Accessibility Research

Bio: Tim Ross, PhD, RPP is a Scientist and Director of the Engagement & Planning for Inclusive Communities Lab (EPIC Lab) within the Bloorview Research Institute at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. He is also an Assistant Professor (Status) in the Department of Geography & Planning and the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto. Tim’s research is focused on understanding the experiences and critical perspectives of families living with childhood disability and using their input to help advance more diverse and inclusive communities. His research examines a range of topics, including inclusive play, education access, pediatric health care access, transportation and mobility, housing, and institutional ableism. Questions about experiences of disability, the normalcy of ableism, and how they relate to the planning and design of our built environments, services, and systems are central to Tim’s research. Tim holds a PhD in Planning from the University of Toronto and is a Registered Professional Planner in Ontario, Canada. 

Topic: Advancements in Accessibility Research

Bio: Jutta Treviranus is the Director of the Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC) and professor in the faculty of Design at OCAD University in Toronto (http://idrc.ocadu.ca ).  Jutta established the IDRC in 1993 as the nexus of a growing global community that proactively works to ensure that our digitally transformed and globally connected society is designed inclusively.  Dr. Treviranus also founded an innovative graduate program in inclusive design at OCAD University.  Jutta is credited with developing an inclusive co-design methodology that has been adopted by large enterprise companies, as well as public sector organizations internationally.  Jutta has coordinated many research networks with and by people with disabilities. Jutta was recognized for her work in AI by Women in AI with the AI for Good - DEI AI Leader of the Year award as well as by Women in AI Ethics. She is the chair of the Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence standards committee for the Accessible Canada Act.