Our Current Research Projects

We are currently recruiting participants for studies - including people with disabilities, older adults, people living with dementia, family/friend caregivers, professional care workers and planning professionals.

Check out the projects below with stars to learn more!

  • A tactile map representing Cabbagetown in Toronto. Felt circles represent trees, ribbons represent roads, wooden blocks represent buildings, and the streetnames are spelt out in braille using gemstones.

    Failing Better in Access

    Funded By: Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada

    This project investigates the experiences of people with disabilities at accessibility-focused public events. While we may never be able to create perfect access, we can try to “fail the best we can” in pursuit of it.

    Currently recruiting!

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  • A wide suburban street in the winter, overlooking a mid-rise apartment building

    Care and Dementia in the Suburbs

    Funded By: Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada

    This project examines the social and built care networks of immigrants living with dementia, their care partners and professional care workers in Scarborough.

    Currently recruiting!

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  • A book and a microphone staged on a grassy area in front of leafy trees.

    Connecting Aging People and Aging Places

    Funded By: TMU Faculty of Community Services Knowledge Translation Grant

    We are documenting the struggles and joys of aging in neighbourhood across Canada and Indigenous communities through poetry, reflections, art, photos, videos and more!

    Currently recruiting!

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  • A train track stretching into the distance. On the left there are trees with fall colours and on the right there are three midrise apartment buildings overlooking the tracks.

    Dementia-Capable Community Pilot

    Funded by: New Frontiers in Research Fund – Exploration Grant

    Dementia-Capable community pilot with a wide range of community stakeholders at all scales in urban, suburban, and rural neighbourhoods in Waterloo, Ontario.

    Currently recruiting!

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  • A big blue sky opening up over a deserted beach. Waves are cresting on the sand.

    Accessibility in the Planning Profession

    Funded By: TMU Faculty of Community services Seed Grant

    This project seeks to find out how non-accessibility specialist urban planners understand and operationalize accessibility and disability in their daily work.

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  • A brick wall with a sign showing the YMCA symbol.

    COVID-19 and Dementia in Oshawa

    Funded By: TMU Faculty of Community Services Seed Grant

    This is a project in Oshawa, Ontario that used photovoice, travel diaries and GPS tracking to understand the experiences of people living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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  • Three e-cargo trikes lined up in front of a grassy area on concrete.

    E-bikes in Northwest Toronto for Older Adults

    Funded By: Ontario Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility

    A project piloting e-bike use for seniors in northwest Toronto with two community partners – Toronto Council on Aging and Our Greenway Conservancy.

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  • Discourse Analysis of the Evaluations of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

    A project analyzing the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the issues around the limited scope of this legislation.

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  • (Re)Imagining Accessibility on Toronto's Waterfront

    A project exploring accessibility along Toronto’s waterfront, as well as a built-environment audit of various sites.

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