Strengthening Accessibility & Inclusion within Professional Programs is an annual, free virtual conference hosted by the U of T accessibility offices (St. George Campus, University of Toronto Mississauga, University of Toronto Scarborough) and the Office of the Vice-Provost Students. It explores the enhancement of equity, accessibility and inclusion within professional programs, specifically in practicums and experiential learning settings.
The University of Toronto is a founding member of the Canada Accessibility Network (CAN), a national collaboration to advance accessibility for persons with disabilities through research, design and innovation, education and training, policy, employment, and community engagement. The UTM, UTSC and St. George Campus Accessibility Offices of the University of Toronto are proud to host this conference, and have it serve as part of our contribution to the critical efforts of this network.
The conference includes several presentations by U of T professional program faculty, staff and students on a range of creative strategies and accommodations that facilitate success for students with disabilities in professional programs.
This year’s conference will take place from June 15-17, 2022.
The keynote speakers are:
- Feranmi Okanlami, M.D., M.S. from the University of Michigan
- Blake Charlton, M.D., an Interventional Cardiologist at the Alaska Heart & Vascular Institute
- Kevin Stoddart, MSW, PhD, RSW, Director Redpath Centre, Toronto, ON
Each of the keynote speakers will discuss a reimagining of their professions to be more inclusive and accommodating.
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion will also provide a recorded message for the conference.
Conference agenda
- Wednesday, June 15: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
8:30 – 8:40 a.m. Access Check
Speaker: Natalie Roach
An access check is a way of opening up the space for participants to let us know if there are any accommodations needed, because something about the space is a barrier to their participation. An access check will open each session of this conference and will include information about various accessibility features and how to access them. Each check will invite participants to message hosts regarding any further accessibility needs.
8:40 – 9:00 a.m. Indigenous Opening with Verne Ross: Traditional Knowledge Keeper
Speaker: Verne Ross
Verne Ross, from Cote First Nation, a Sealteaux Nation belonging to Treaty 4 in Saskatchewan, will open the conference with storytelling as well as a brief prayer, so that we may begin the conference in a good way. He has always worked with traditional healers and language interpreters. Verne is not an Elder, however, he works with Elders’ guidance and is one of the Traditional Knowledge keepers.
9:00 – 9:05 a.m. Introduction to Dr. Okanlami
Speaker: Dr. Pearl Levey
9:05 – 10:00 a.m. Keynote 1: Dr. Feranmi Okanlami
Hosted by Natalie Roach
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 – 11:30 a.m. Navigating Intersecting Identities
Facilitated by Reshma Dhrodia & Jheanelle Anderson
Panelists: Olivia E. Wallace, Lauren LeBlanc & Fatima Hassan
Hosted by Leah Potash
A student panel discussion on navigating professional programs and practice as a BIPOC student with a lived experience of disability.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. Accommodation, Academic Remediation, Learning Skills and Stepping Out/Back into Academic Programs
Speakers: Irene Sullivan & Jaimie Coleman
Hosted by Reginald Oey
A discussion and case studies on navigating various interventions and supports when working with students with disabilities in professional programs.
1:45 – 2:00 p.m. Break
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Critical Legal Cases in Professional Faculty Accommodations: A Review
Speaker: Sari Springer
Hosted by Gretel Silvestre
Sari will provide an overview of the basic legal concepts related to accommodation of students with disabilities in professional settings. She will then review recent reported case law dealing addressing these issues, and conclude by sharing her views on recent topics of general concern including:
- The issue of consent regarding sharing medical information with the practicum site
- Whether it is desirable to have the core competencies of a particular program well-documented and publicized in advance of students’ application and registration in the program.
- Student requests to complete their practicums remotely
- Doctor's notes with far-reaching requests
- Thursday, June 16: 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
8:45 – 8:55 a.m. Welcome, Day 2 Agenda & Access Check, Land Acknowledgement
Speaker: Adina Burden
8:55 – 9:00 a.m. Introduction to Dr. Charlton
Speaker: Sandy Welsh
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Keynote 2: Dr. Blake Charlton, MD, FACC, FSCAI
Hosted by Natalie Roach
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 – 11:00 a.m. Innovators in Accessibility
Speaker: Jason Brommet, Microsoft Canada
Hosted by Vivian Zhang
We all play a critical role in creating a world in which everyone can participate. How do we all create and support a culture of accessibility and inclusion in workplace and business practices?
11:00 – 11:30 a.m. Bridging the Digital Divide
Speaker: Jason Brommet, Microsoft Canada
Hosted by Vivian Zhang
Technology is woven through every element of our life. It can be the greatest of enablers, creating experiences and opportunities for everyone to be more inclusive.
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Address from the Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Speaker: Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
Hosted by Mira Ali
We are delighted that the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, will be providing an address for our conference. Minister Qualtrough is committed to equity and inclusion, and has practiced human rights law at the federal and provincial levels. She chaired the Minister’s Council on Employment and Accessibility in British Columbia, and was an adjudicator with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal. Minister Qualtrough has been visually impaired since birth.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 – 2:15 p.m. Universal/Inclusive Curriculum Design for Professional Faculty Programs
Basic principles, best practices and a case study from the Faculty of Information Studies at the University of Toronto
Speakers: Ben Poynton, Joanna Lau, Malayna Bernstein, Michal Kasparak, Stephanie Rose & Wendy Duff
Hosted by Bismah Khalid
It is one thing to understand UDL principles and quite another to successfully integrate them into existing practices. In the past year, the Faculty of Information has taken up precisely this project: both educating our instructors and staff about UDL principles, as well as helping those principles take root in generative and effective ways in course and service offerings.
In this session, we outline our process and provide ideas for other professional faculties to take up. We will begin by articulating why our Faculty prioritized UDL and accessibility, explain how we created a support infrastructure, detail a range of programs developed – share our challenges and successes - showcase one faculty member who used our programs extensively, and close with a broad discussion of UDL principles for learning. By sharing our Faculty’s why, where, and how, we hope we can help other professional faculties institute their own UDL-based practices, making learning more accessible for all.
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. Break
2:30 – 3:45 p.m. Supporting Inclusive Clinical Education Through the Use of the Practicum Demands Measure ©: Collecting, Analyzing, and Sharing Essential Information for Students, Faculty and Accessibility Counsellors
Speakers: Dr. Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.), Donna Barker, MSc OT Reg. (Ont.) & Jill Stier M.A., OT Reg. (Ont.)
Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Hosted by Maryam Masood
The Practicum Demands Measure © (PDM) is used to record the physical, psychosocial, and cognitive demands on student occupational therapy (OT) during their practicum placements. Data collected through the PDM over a two year period has provided a better understanding of the demands on OT students during their required clinical education courses that occur in a variety of settings and with a variety of populations. This session will provide an overview of the PDM and explain why and how this tool was developed. Research results of PDM data collection will be presented. Case studies will help to illustrate how PDM data can be utilized by students, accessibility services counsellors, and fieldwork faculty to support inclusive clinical education and optimize opportunity for success for students requiring practicum accommodations for disability. Future directions for development, research, and utilization of the PDM will also be discussed, including the opportunity for revision and utilization of the tool for use by other disciplines/academic programs with clinical education requirements.
- Friday, June 17: 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
8:45 – 8:55 a.m. Welcome, Day 3 Agenda & Access Check, Land Acknowledgement
Speaker: Annicka Stabenow
8:55 – 9:00 a.m. Introduction to Dr. Kevin Stoddart
Speaker: Jennifer Stewart
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Keynote 3: Understanding and Meeting the Needs of Autistic Students in Professional Programs
Speaker: Dr. Kevin Stoddart
Hosted by Adina Burden
This session will involve an examination of a collaborative approach between students, their program and Accessibility Services staff in navigating assessments, skill building, remediation and accommodations when working with students with disabilities in professional clinical programs. Considerations for identifying program step-outs and the process for return to program are reviewed through exploration of a case study.
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 – 11:45 a.m. Adaptive Technology in Professional Placement Settings
A review of best practices and case studies in assessing need and best utilizing adaptive technology to support students with disabilities in professional placement settings
Speakers: Ann Thomas, Lake Porter & Michelle Morgani
Hosted by Sezgi Ozel
This session will review best practices around assessing technology needs for students in professional practicums. This session will review case studies and practical questions for utilizing best practice around adaptive technology to support students with disabilities in professional placement settings
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Student Snapshot: My Lived Experience Navigating Adaptive Technology and Post-Secondary Education as a Student with a Disability
Speaker: Jessica Chaikof
Hosted by Morghan Brett
In this session, PhD candidate Jessica Chaikof will share her experience navigating her undergraduate and graduate degrees as a student living with a disability. To be explored are how adaptive technology and self-advocacy play a part in her experience, and how she is preparing for her upcoming doctorate degree. This session will be a conversation between Jessica and Morghan Brett, Program Transition Coordinator and social justice scholar.
12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch
12:45 – 1:45 p.m. Clinical Sites, Academic Programs and Accessibility Offices: Roles, Responsibilities and Best Practices in Working Together
Speakers: Dr. Pearl Levey & Dr. Tony Pignatiello
Hosted by Jasmine Montagnese
1:45 – 2:00 p.m. Remarks from Executive Director, Student Life Programs & Services
Speaker: Heather Kelly
2:00 – 2:15 p.m. Break
2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Fostering Inclusion for Physicians with Disabilities
Speakers: Dr. Michael Quon Dr. Camille Munro
Hosted by Natalie Roach
Dr. Camille Munro and Dr. Michael Quon will present the important progress in disability inclusion they are leading at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals. They will share a lived experience that highlights the challenges faced by physicians practicing with disabilities. Through work with the Canadian Association for Physicians with Disabilities, it was apparent that these difficult barriers were shared amongst most physicians with disabilities. A complete national void in established policy for physicians with disabilities motivated advocacy for their work with the Medicine Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Working Group at TOH. They will review their position statement for physicians with disabilities, the first of its kind at any Canadian hospital institution. Published in the Canadian Journal of Physician Leadership in October 2021, it has since been shared extensively in publication by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario Dialogue magazine, a national HealthCareCAN policy brief, and by every Provincial Medical Association in Canada. Most recently, they presented their work at Stanford University’s Building a Culture of Health Equity Summit. Please join them for this thought-provoking presentation, calling for much needed culture-change in medicine.
Credit to Dr. Kathleen Gartke, Senior Medical Officer, who has also led this work but won’t be presenting at the conference.
3:15 – 3:25 p.m. Indigenous Closing and Reflection with Verne Ross: Traditional Knowledge Keeper
Speaker: Verne Ross
Verne Ross, who will be performing the opening and prayer at the start of the conference, will return to close the conference in a good way. He will provide a reflection and message to attendees to send them on their way.
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Organizing Committee Send-Off
Speaker: Michael Nicholson
Past conference recordings
- 2021
Day 1: Thursday, June 17, 2021
- Day 1 Opening Remarks
- Keynote: Dr. Peter Poullos - Disability, Diversity and Inclusion
- Clinical Coaching: An Innovative Model for Supporting Students in Clinical Fieldwork Education
- Using Simulation to Teach Practice Skills: Preparing Students for Field with Increased Support and Accommodations
- Terry Gardiner: Accommodations in Professional Programs - A Conversation
- Faculty and Staff Panel
Day 2: Friday, June 18, 2021
- Day 2 Opening Remarks
- Keynote: Dr. Peter Poullos – Technical Standards and Creative Accommodations
- Mike Natter, MD: Combining Passions of Art and Medicine
- Sandy Welsh: Closing Remarks
- The Hidden Curriculum of Accessibility: Learning From Lived Experience and Expertise
- Conference Conclusion and Thank You
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Program Eligibility
Faculty, staff and students from any institution who are interested in accessibility and inclusion within professional programs are eligible to attend.
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Program Facilitators
Ann Thomas
Ann Thomas has a background in psychology and rehabilitation teaching and has been working as an Adaptive Technologist in post-secondary education for over 20 years. She is currently an Adaptive Technologist in Accessibility Services at the University of Toronto.
Learn more about Ann
Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia
Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, OT Reg. (Ont.), PhD, FRSA, is an occupational therapist and assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto. Dr. Nowrouzi-Kia and holds the Emily Geldsaler Grant Early Career Professor in Workplace Mental Health and is an Affiliate Scientist, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital – University Health Network. His research focuses on workplace mental health through a bio/psycho/social framework.
Learn more about Behdin
Ben Poynton
Ben was drawn to his work by an interest in the philosophical underpinnings of human rights and how they support social justice. He promotes compliance to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, seeking ultimately to lead the University beyond compliance. Ben helps the University community understand legal obligations, how accessibility is broadly defined, and how we can create a universally designed institution that values disability and the changes in perspective it brings. Ben holds Master of Laws from the University of Warwick in International Development Law & Human Rights.
Learn more about Ben
Donna Barker
Donna is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto and was the department’s Director of Clinical Education for 15 years. Previous to her 2006 appointment at the university, Donna worked for twenty years in the health care system as a clinician and occupational therapy practice leader. Donna’s research interests include: student accommodations in clinical education, innovation in clinical education and clinical education within private practice.
Learn more about Donna
Dr. Blake Charlton
Severe dyslexia kept Blake Charlton from learning to read until age 13, when he began sneaking novels into special ed study hall. With a lot of help, he went on to graduate summa cum laude from Yale College. After an interlude as a high school English teacher, football coach and special ed tutor, he started writing novels and short stories, mostly sci-fi and fantasy, for young people with disabilities. Meanwhile, he attended Stanford Medical School and then University of California San Francisco, where he trained as an interventional cardiologist. He now practices in Anchorage, Alaska.
Learn more about Dr. Blake Charlton
Dr. Camille Munro
Dr. Camille Munro is an Assistant Professor and Clinician-Teacher with the Division of Palliative Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Dr.Munro received her medical degree from Dalhousie in 1991, did a rotating internship at Royal Columbian Hospital, University of British Columbia, and then moved to Ottawa. After practicing part-time in Family Medicine for 16 years while raising her children, Dr. Munro’s interest in Palliative Care led her return to an academic setting. Dr. Munro’s current interest is to pursue excellence in patient care and improve the clinical delivery of palliative care.
Learn more about Dr. Camille Munro
Dr. Feranmi Okanlami
Dr. Oluwaferanmi Okanlami is the Director of Student Accessibility & Accommodation Services at the University of Michigan (UM). He is also an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Urology at Michigan Medicine, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UCLA. He has received multiple awards and sits on several national boards and committees. He earned his MD before matching into Orthopedic Surgery at Yale, where in his 3rd year, a spinal cord injury paralyzed him from the chest down. He navigates the world as a proud wheelchair user.
Learn more about Dr. Feranmi Okanlami
Fatima Hassan
Fatima Hassan is in her third year of the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of Toronto. From Toronto, Fatima is interested in engineering and teaching. She has done some work with the Engineering Outreach Office and has been part of the Engineering Society. She also loves photography and music.
Learn more about Fatima
Heather Kelly
Dr. Heather Kelly is the Executive Director, Student Life Programs & Services in the Division of Student Life at University of Toronto, St. George campus and is responsible for a comprehensive program of programs, services and resources for students. She is committed to supporting all students, particularly underrepresented and equity-deserving students, in finding their purpose through the integration of curricular and co-curricular experiences that encourage meaningful goals and interests. She holds a Doctorate in Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at U of T.
Learn more about Heather
Hon. Carla Qualtrough
The Hon. Carla Qualtrough was first elected as the MP for Delta in 2015. She has served as Minister of Employment, Workforce Development & Disability Inclusion since 2019. Minister Qualtrough has previously served as Minister of Accessibility, Minister of Public Services & Procurement, and Minister of Sport & Persons with Disabilities. A successful lawyer, dedicated volunteer and Paralympic swimmer, Minister Qualtrough is a strong advocate for Delta, with a commitment to addressing inequality and championing diversity. Read her full bio.
Learn more about Hon. Carla Qualtrough
Irene Sullivan
Irene is the Neurological Team Lead at Accessibility Services (U of T) and has over 27 years of experience in neuropsychological assessment of neurological disabilities including learning disabilities, ADHD, brain injury, ASD, MS and HIV. Irene ran a head injury clinic for a Toronto trauma hospital and was the clinical manager of a multidisciplinary neurological disorders assessment clinic. Irene is active in community advocacy work for individuals with brain injury and ASD, and was a member of the panel that developed the Ontario Neurotrauma Guidelines for Concussion Management for Adults.
Learn more about Irene
Jaimie Coleman
Jaimie is an Assistant Profession, Teaching Stream in the Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto. She is Academic Lead of the cardiorespiratory course, Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education and Graduate Coordinator for the MScPT students. Jaimie completed a Bachelor of Physical Education and Health and a Master of Science in Physical Therapy both at U of T. She has also completed a Master of Health Management at McMaster University and holds the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation.
Learn more about Jaimie
Jason Brommet
Jason (Jay) is the Lead of the Modern Work and Security business at Microsoft Canada. His team is responsible for enabling organizations to amplify the ingenuity of their people, while protecting their data and assets. Jay’s work frequently involves detailing the future of the workplace, including culture development, prioritization of people, employee wellbeing and the innovative use of technology. Jay is also an advocate for technology enabling inclusivity and accessibility and leads Microsoft Canada’s Commercial Accessibility Initiative.
Learn more about Jason
Jessica Chaikof
Jessica Chaikof holds an M.A. in Sociology Research & Practice from American University and is starting a PhD in Social Policy this fall. As an undergrad, she advocated for the inclusion of students with disabilities by co-founding WheAccess, the first club on campus to support disabled students and to educate members of the college community. Her research focuses on chronic illness, disability and accessibility in higher education. As an individual living with a disability, Jessica is familiar with obstacles that students with disabilities face in requesting and advocating for their rights.
Learn more about Jessica
Jheanelle Anderson
Jheanelle Anderson MSW, RSW is the On Location Accessibility Advisor at University College at U of T. She is a Black disabled social worker and researcher focusing on disability-affirming therapy and equity-based research with marginalized populations, particularly those with intersection of Blackness, disability, and immigration. Her latest work examines gaps in research, policy and service delivery for Black Canadians with disabilities titled “The Intersection of Blackness and Disability”. She has a background in community-engaged research with Black survivors of homicide victims.
Learn more about Jheanelle
Jill Stier
Jill Stier, MA, BMR (OT), is an Assistant Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Jill’s role as the Graduate Coordinator involves the coordination of services and programs affecting student life. Jill chairs the Student Affairs Committee, which is responsible for admissions and awards, recruitment, student advising, academic performance including marks and the appeals process, student bursaries and scholarships. Jill has expertise with accessibility and accommodation strategies for graduate students.
Learn more about Jill
Joanna Lau
Joanna Lau has worked in higher education for over 15 years and is currently an Educational Developer within the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto. In her role, she is committed to working with instructors and staff to increase UDL and accessibility practices within course design and student services. In addition, Joanna has a passion for design and creativity and currently develops and designs learning resources as the eLearning Developer at The Center for Implementation.
Learn more about Joanna
Dr. Kevin Stoddart
Dr. Kevin Stoddart is Founding Director of The Redpath Centre and Adjunct Professor, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, U of T. He has worked in the fields of autism, developmental disabilities and child and adult mental health. Since the 1990s, his clinical focus has been children, youth and adults with Asperger Syndrome and the co-existing social and mental health problems that affect them. An active clinician, he sees about 150 people and their families yearly. Dr. Stoddart’s research and publications center on the clinical and psychosocial needs of autistic people and their families.
Learn more about Dr. Kevin Stoddart
Lake Porter
Lake Porter has been working in the field of adaptive/assistive technology (AT) for over 20 years in both developmental and service roles. Lake comes to AT from an interesting perspective having been trained as a musician and also having a certificate in Information Management with a specialty in Information Architecture. One of Lake’s formative experiences with AT was developing the sounds for Sun Microsystem’s audio interface for the SwingSet framework.
Learn more about Lake
Lauren LeBlanc
Lauren is a current Master of Social Work student at the University of Toronto finishing their first year of the two-year program in the Health and Mental Health stream. Lauren has also been working with Accessibility Services as both a Peer Advisor and Peer Facilitator since September of 2020. Lauren identifies as a student with a disability and is an advocate for accessibility within academic and professional programs.
Learn more about Lauren
Malayna Berstein
Malayna directs the Faculty of Information’s Learning Hub. In this role, she coordinates programs that support student and instructor learning and well-being. She earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in the Learning Sciences at Northwestern University, where she studied literacies, resource pedagogies, and teacher identity. She holds a B.A. in English from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, where she studied literature and nonfiction writing. Malayna taught at Northwestern University, the University of Maryland, and West Virginia University, before joining the faculty at the University of Toronto.
Learn more about Malayna
Dr. Michael Quon
Dr. Michael Quon is a General Internal Medicine specialist at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and Lecturer at the University of Ottawa. He is a determined advocate to improve inclusion of physicians with disabilities after his own experience following a terrible road cycling crash and a traumatic brain injury. As part of his efforts, he is a member of an EDI working group at TOH and the Board of the Canadian Association for Physicians with Disabilities. He will soon be joining EDI advisory groups at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and Canadian Medical Association.
Learn more about Dr. Michael Quon
Michal Kasprzak
Michal Kasprzak is Assistant Director at the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation (CTSI) for the Teaching Assistants’ Training Program (TATP). He provides pedagogical support to faculty and teaching assistants who want to integrate effective educational approaches into their teaching. His interests include multiple presences in online learning, mental health and accessibility, UDL, and graduate student advancement.
Learn more about Michal
Olivia E. Wallace
Olivia E. Wallace is a visual artist and teacher from Brampton, ON who recently completed the Master of Teaching program at OISE, U of T. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management, Studio and Art History and was awarded the Orpheus Prize in Humanities in 2017 (UTSC). Olivia has worked with several arts organizations and galleries, and currently sits on the Programming and Collections Committee at Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives. She is passionate about art education and community-based art, and her research has focused on socially-engaged hip hop in multiethnic schools.
Learn more about Olivia
Dr. Pearl Levey
Dr. Pearl Levey has worked in the field of learning disabilities for over 40 years and holds a Ph.D. degree in Special Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education in Toronto. She has worked as a Disability Advisor at Accessibility Services at U of T since 1990 and in 2017 she has been in the role of Accommodations Specialist for Practicums, Placements and Laboratories. In addition to her work at U of T, Dr. Levey had a private practice in Toronto from 1986 until 2017 where she conducted psycho-educational assessments and provided consultations for both children and adults.
Learn more about Dr. Pearl Levey
Reshma Dhrodia
Reshma Dhrodia is a social worker and educator whose work focuses on equity/diversity/inclusion, gerontology, and gender-based violence. Since 2016, she has worked in the University of Toronto St. George Campus Accessibility Services office to accommodate students with disabilities. She is the Chair of their EDIA Committee and Team Lead of 11 On Location Accessibility Advisors. In 2021, she received the Jill Matus Excellence in Student Services Award, and Excellence through Innovation award. She is on the Board of Directors for the Urban Alliance on Race Relations and the Leonard Foundation.
Learn more about Reshma
Sandy Welsh
As Vice-Provost, Students Professor Sandy Welsh works closely with Principals, Deans and academic divisions across the three campuses to enhance the student experience at U of T. She is responsible for University-wide policies and procedures affecting students. Professor Welsh’s current research explores how changes in federal and provincial regulations affect the adoption and implementation of workplace harassment and work-family policies. Previous roles include Provostial Advisor on Graduate Student Funding and Vice-Dean, Graduate Education & Program Reviews at the Faculty of Arts & Science.
Learn more about Sandy
Sari Springer
Sari L. Springer has been practicing law for over 30 years; her practice focuses on employment as well as higher education law. Sari has particular proficiency in the human rights arena. She has acted for multiple universities throughout her career, and defended these universities in connection with numerous human rights applications. Sari has been lead counsel on several occasions for groups of universities across Ontario in the context of high stakes, precedent setting systemic discrimination cases, and has succeeded in having all of those cases dismissed.
Learn more about Sari
Stephanie Rose
Throughout her career in higher education, Stephanie created programs and services primarily focused on addressing the needs of students. After a short stint in Accessibility Services, she developed a much greater understanding of UDL principles, accessibility-focused approaches to student engagement, and how a collaborative approach worked most effectively for all parties involved. It is this approach that directed her work in the Faculty of Information. Stephanie recently left U of T for the role of Director of Program Management at the Professional Engineers of Ontario.
Learn more about Stephanie
Dr. Tony Pignatiello
Dr. Pignatiello is the Associate Dean in the Office of Learner Affairs, Temerty Faculty of Medicine. He is a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Associate Professor with the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, and the Medical Director of the Provincial Pediatric Telemental Health Services at The Hospital for Sick Children. He has worked in many academic and community-based settings, and has won awards for his teaching, mentorship, and work in virtual mental health care.
Learn more about Dr. Tony Pignatiello
Verne Ross
Verne Ross is from Cote First Nation, a Sealteaux Nation belonging to Treaty 4 in Saskatchewan. He has always worked with traditional healers and language interpreters. Verne is not an Elder, however, he works with Elders’ guidance and is one of the Traditional Knowledge keepers. Verne holds a B.A in Indigenous Studies and a Master of Social Work. Currently in a PhD, his research focus is Two-spirited people; he has also taught several courses at the Centre for Indigenous Studies Department (U of T). Verne continues to be a social worker, teacher and mentor for students from all walks of life.
Learn more about Verne
Wendy Duff
Dr. Wendy Duff is a professor and Dean in the Faculty of Information where she teaches courses in the areas of archival access and community archives. Her research and publications have focused on archival access, archives and social justice, and archival users. In her current research she is exploring the emotional impact of archival work.
Learn more about Wendy
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