Disability Dialogues

About Disability Dialogues

From the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing, Disability Dialogues is a podcast series on important topics in health and wellbeing of our communities. Stay tuned!

Publisher

CERC Health Equity and Community Wellbeing

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Apr 2025

Latest episode

23 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Casey House on Thriving HIV Care

   In the final episode of the second season of Disability Dialogues, we get to speak with one of our partners at Casey House, Yasser Ismail. We get to talk about the origins of Casey House as an HIV and HIV at risk hospital, the ongoing evolution of client-centered care and practices in how the organization is built and run, and Yasser’s own experiences co-designing clinical programs as the Chief Strategy and Knowledge Officer. This episode introduces an ongoing partnership between the CERC HECW and Casey House, lead by Karen Soldatic and Yasser Ismail. Important Links and Resources: CERC HECW website: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Project Information: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/partnering-for-impact/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/partnering-for-impact/) Casey House website: https://caseyhouse.ca/ (https://caseyhouse.ca/) For more information on HIV and AIDS: https://www.hiv.gov (https://www.hiv.gov)

2. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Centering Thriving in Crisis Response

   Today, Eunice shares about an ongoing collaboration between the Gerstein Crisis Centre and Toronto Metropolitan University, which looks at alternative forms of crisis response that center on health and wellbeing. Led by Professor Jessica Evans with the department of Criminology, this work takes a look at thriving from a totally different angle, focusing on what allows people to get closer to thriving when crisis situations are in play. Important Links and Resources: CERC HECW website: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Project Information: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/who-can-i-call/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/who-can-i-call/) Gerstein Crisis Centre website: https://gersteincentre.org/about-us/ (https://gersteincentre.org/about-us/) Read Eunice’s CityLAB team report on affordable rentals here: https://www.citylabhamilton.com/fall-2022-projects/2022/affordable-rentals (https://www.citylabhamilton.com/fall-2022-projects/2022/affordable-rentals) References: Besomi, D. (2019). The metaphors of crises*. Journal of Cultural Economy, 12(5), 361–381. https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.torontomu.ca/10.1080/17530350.2018.1519843

3. 

   26 Aug 2026

   Digitizing Thriving in Community and Care

   In episode 4 of Disability Dialogues Season 2, we open with a few technical difficulties… thankfully not for long, but digital spaces are sometimes pretty inaccessible! That’s the subject of today’s interview with Chris Sivarajan, who talks about what thriving looks like in digital health spaces as a woman living with multiple sclerosis, or MS. As a peer volunteer with MS Canada, Chris has both lived experience of MS and as someone who has done the work of helping her fellow MS community. This episode introduces the topic of a current collaboration between the CERC HECW and MS Canada, lead by Karen Soldatic and Vayshali Patel. P.S. We forgot to add it in, but optic neuritis, the symptom that led to Chris’ eventual diagnosis, is a condition involving the painful inflammation of the optic nerve, which blocks signals from moving between your eye and your brain. It can cause blurry vision, dull colors, and eye pain when you move it. Sorry for leaving it out, but enjoy the episode! Important Links and Resources: CERC HECW website: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Project Information: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/women-living-with-ms/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/women-living-with-ms/) MS Canada: https://mscanada.ca/about-us/about-us (https://mscanada.ca/about-us/about-us) References: Corrigan, Patrick W., Amy C. Watson, and Leah Barr. 2006. “The Self–Stigma of Mental Illness: Implications for Self–Esteem and Self–Efficacy.” Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 25 (8): 875–84. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2006.25.8.875 (https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2006.25.8.875). Corrigan, Patrick W., and Deepa Rao. 2012. “On the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness: Stages, Disclosure, and Strategies for Change.” Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne de Psychiatrie 57 (8): 464–69. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371205700804 (https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371205700804). Patricia. 2025. “The Experience of Stigma and Concealment in Multiple Sclerosis.” EMSP, April 2. https://emsp.org/news/the-experience-of-stigma-and-concealment-in-multiple-sclerosis (https://emsp.org/news/the-experience-of-stigma-and-concealment-in-multiple-sclerosis/).

4. 

   12 Aug 2026

   Following Thriving Youth Pathways

   In Season 2 episode 3, Eunice is her own guest! We’re talking about how diverse youth navigate post-secondary pathways, and more specifically, Eunice discusses her own pathway through learning about her own mental health and disability status, and her successes and adversities after high school. Finally, we discuss the co-designed Tracking Pathways project, and the value of youth-led, intersectional research. Trigger warning for discussions of mental health and eating disorders from 8:00 – 10:30. Important Links and Resources: CERC HECW website: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Project Information: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/tracking-pathways-through-education-and-employment/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/tracking-pathways-through-education-and-employment/) References: Crenshaw, Kimberle. 1989. “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics.” University of Chicago Legal Forum 1989 (1). http://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/uclf/vol1989/iss1/8?utm_source=chicagounbound.uchicago.edu%2Fuclf%2Fvol1989%2Fiss1%2F8&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages (http://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/uclf/vol1989/iss1/8?utm_source=chicagounbound.uchicago.edu%2Fuclf%2Fvol1989%2Fiss1%2F8&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages). Navarro, J., F. Johnstone, J. Temple Newhook, et al. 2021. Health and Well-Being among Trans and Non-Binary Youth. https://transpulsecanada.ca/results/report-health-and-well-being-among-trans-and-non-binary-youth/ (https://transpulsecanada.ca/results/report-health-and-well-being-among-trans-and-non-binary-youth/). Statistics Canada. 2021. Educational Experiences of Young Women with Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.25318/36280001202101000003-ENG (https://doi.org/10.25318/36280001202101000003-ENG). University of Toronto Scarborough. 2023. National Dialogues and Action for Inclusive Higher Education and Communities. University of Toronto Scarborough. https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/nationaldialogues/sites/utsc.utoronto.ca.nationaldialogues/files/docs/2022-NationalDialoguesReport_EN.pdf (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/nationaldialogues/sites/utsc.utoronto.ca.nationaldialogues/files/docs/2022-NationalDialoguesReport_EN.pdf).

5. 

   29 Jul 2026

   Mobility, Pain, and Possibility in Canadian Disability

   In Season 2 episode 2 of Disability Dialogues, we talk to Mary– a woman with a series of mobility and pain-related disabilities– about what it means to be thriving versus surviving with disability in Canada. Particularly, we got into the weeds of what it means to be disabled, and navigate the big barriers placed on disabled people to be able to find fulfillment, get around in a wheelchair, and be an active member of the community, all while accessing necessary accommodations and support. This episode is based on the CERC HECW’s ongoing project, “Thriving Versus Surviving: Bridging Gaps in Canadian Disability Supports ”, lead by Karen Soldatic and Nadia Carvalho. Important Links and Resources: CERC HECW website: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) “Thriving Versus Surviving: Bridging Gaps in Canadian Disability Supports” project page: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/thriving-vs-surviving/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/thriving-vs-surviving/) Canadian Pension Plan disability benefits webpage: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp-disability-benefit.html  (https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp-disability-benefit.html) Statistics Canada household expenditures: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/62f0026m/62f0026m2025001-eng.pdf?st=MOanreD4  (https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/62f0026m/62f0026m2025001-eng.pdf?st=MOanreD4)

6. 

   15 Jul 2026

   Rethinking Thriving in Primary Care

   Welcome back to Season 2 of Disability Dialogues with the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing! In our first episode, we’ll be featuring a conversation with Shelley Petit, the chair of the New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities (NBCPD), about her personal experience of invisible disability and navigating Canada’s healthcare system. This episode will also highlight some of the key findings from our 2026 survey on the primary healthcare experiences of women and gender-diverse persons with  disabilities throughout Canada, conducted in partnership with DAWN Canada, and Atlas Institute of Veterans and Families. Important Links and Resources: CERC HECW website: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/  (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ ) NBCPD website: https://www.nbcpd.org/ (https://www.nbcpd.org/) DAWN Canada website: https://dawncanada.net/ (https://dawncanada.net/) More Than A Footnote: Canada Human Rights and Treaty Obligations: https://dawncanada.net/resource/more-than-a-footnote-canada-human-rights-and-treaty-obligations/  (https://dawncanada.net/resource/more-than-a-footnote-canada-human-rights-and-treaty-obligations/) Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families website: https://atlasveterans.ca/ (https://atlasveterans.ca/) Blog post: Connie Uetz, Peer Researcher at Atlas and CAF veteran (on injury and moving forward): https://atlasveterans.ca/perspectives/the-long-road-forward-navigating-trauma-and-finding-meaning/  (https://atlasveterans.ca/perspectives/the-long-road-forward-navigating-trauma-and-finding-meaning/) Digital stories: Daphne, RCMP veteran (dual-service couple story and release due to post-shingles Ramsay Hunt and her own recovery after release): https://youtu.be/GHxYdgOxVLk?si=Lu2DteiOTcoc0smH  (https://youtu.be/GHxYdgOxVLk?si=Lu2DteiOTcoc0smH) Fact sheet on women veterans and chronic pain: https://atlasveterans.ca/documents/fact-sheet-chronic-pain-en.pdf  (https://atlasveterans.ca/documents/fact-sheet-chronic-pain-en.pdf) References: Evans, B., Allam, A., Bê, A., Hale, C., Rose, M., & Ruddock, A. (2024). Being left behind beyond recovery: ‘crip time’ and chronic illness in neoliberal academia. Social & Cultural Geography, 1–21. https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.torontomu.ca/10.1080/14649365.2024.2410262 (https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.torontomu.ca/10.1080/14649365.2024.2410262)

7. 

   8 Jul 2026

   Disability Dialogues - Season 2

   Welcome back to Season 2 of Disability Dialogues! A podcast about co-creating inclusive healthcare and wellbeing with communities brought to you by the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at Toronto Metropolitan University. If this trailer sparked something in you, don’t let it stop here. Visit ⁠torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) and check out our Knowledge Mobilization Hub to explore more accessible research, resources, and tools you can share with your community.

8. 

   1 Oct 2025

   Rethinking Crisis Response: Building Community-Led Alternatives in Ontario

   Ontario’s crisis response system often relies on police as the first point of contact for people experiencing mental health or substance-related distress. This approach can criminalize individuals instead of addressing the deeper issues—such as poverty, housing insecurity, and discrimination—that shape many crises. Community-led crisis models offer a different path. By centering lived experience, equity, and trauma-informed care, these services provide health and social responses rather than defaulting to law enforcement. With mobile teams, crisis lines, short-term housing supports, and partnerships across sectors, these models create low-barrier, accessible ways for people to seek help. In this episode of Disability Dialogues, Researcher, Criminology Professor and affiliate fellow Jessica Evans is joined by the Executive Director of the Gerstein Crisis Centre, Susan Davis, to discuss the limitations of current crisis response systems in Ontario. Which often involve police and criminalize individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises. Jessica, and Susan, advocate for community-led crisis responses that are built on equity, dignity, and anti-oppressive principles. The conversation underscores the importance of individualized care, addressing social determinants of health, and the need for more accessible and non-coercive mental health services. At the heart of this approach is dignity, choice, and autonomy—meeting people where they are and recognizing that mental health care is not just medical, but deeply tied to social conditions. Investing in these alternatives has the potential to transform crisis response into something that truly supports wellbeing. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Explore ways to increase funding and resources for community-based, non-coercive mental health crisis response services. Advocate for a greater focus on upstream solutions, such as improving access to housing, income support, and mental health care, to prevent the need for crisis intervention. Discover the information about the Gerstein Crisis Centre,'s services and how to access them, including the crisis line for yourself or someone you know in need. Resources Explore the CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing’s ⁠Website⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Jessica Evans and Susan Davis: Website (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/who-can-i-call/) Dr. Karen Soldatic: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-soldati%C4%87-42912426/) | ⁠CERC Profile⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/karen-soldatic/) Toronto Metropolitan University: ⁠Website⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/) SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council: ⁠Website⁠ (https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en.aspx) CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research: ⁠Website⁠ (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html) NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: ⁠Website (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/index_eng.asp) Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Disability Dialogues is a podcast that explores bold ideas, community-led research, and inclusive practices shaping the future of healthcare and wellbeing. Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. Share it with friends and colleagues. Let’s inspire more people to co-create change. Find out more about the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Thank you for tuning in!

9. 

   24 Sept 2025

   Bridging the Gap: How Community-Driven AI Can Transform Online Safety for Disabled Individuals

   AI moderation often fails marginalized groups, especially disabled women and girls, because existing datasets ignore their lived experiences, leading to missed abuse, over-censorship, and reinforced bias. Researchers advocate for co-created, intersectional datasets and contextual AI that understands nuance, intent, and transparent explainable systems to build trust. Addressing data scarcity, bias, and accessibility requires community-driven design, continuous feedback, and survivor-centered policies that prioritize safety, accountability, and wellbeing. In this episode of "Disability Dialogues," Dr. Karen Soldatic and Researcher Glaucia Melo discuss how contextual AI can help detect and prevent technology-facilitated violence against disabled women and girls. They explore a research project that develops AI models using data based on lived experiences to reduce bias and better recognize nuanced online abuse. The conversation highlights the importance of community-driven, inclusive AI, challenges in data collection, and the need for stronger policies and digital literacy to ensure safer, more equitable online spaces for marginalized groups. This episode offers a compelling vision for the future of online safety—one where contextual AI, co-created with marginalized communities, can detect and prevent technology-facilitated violence in all its forms. By centering lived experience, embracing nuance, and demanding accountability, we can build digital environments that are not only safer but also more just and inclusive. Definitions: AI: The development of machine-based systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making, often with a degree of autonomy. Ethical AI: Artificial intelligence that adheres to well-defined ethical guidelines regarding fundamental values, including such things as individual rights, privacy, non-discrimination, and non-manipulation. Data sets: A collection of related sets of information that is composed of separate elements but can be manipulated as a unit by a computer. Technology-facilitated violence: behaviours where technology is used to cause virtual and/or in-person harm. Metadata: Dr. Karen Soldatic sits down with researcher Glaucia Melo to discuss technology-facilitated violence against disabled women and girls, and the efforts underway to address and combat this issue. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Learn about the role of contextual AI in understanding the nuances of online communication. Understand the importance of datasets based on lived experiences to avoid biases in AI. Discover the use of emerging technologies, particularly contextual artificial intelligence (AI), to detect and prevent online abuse. Resources Explore the CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing’s ⁠Website⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Glaucia Melo Website (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/ai-powered-technology-facilitated-violence/) Dr. Karen Soldatic: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-soldati%C4%87-42912426/) | ⁠CERC Profile⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/karen-soldatic/) Toronto Metropolitan University: ⁠Website⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/) SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council: ⁠Website⁠ (https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en.aspx) CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research: ⁠Website⁠ (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html) NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: ⁠Website (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/index_eng.asp) Enjoyed this Episode?If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Disability Dialogues is a podcast that explores bold ideas, community-led research, and inclusive practices shaping the future of healthcare and wellbeing. Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. Share it with friends and colleagues. Let’s inspire more people to co-create change. Find out more about the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Thank you for tuning in!

10. 

    17 Sept 2025

    Tracking Pathways: Youth Shaping Healthcare Solutions

    The voices of Youth lend an important addition to community research, in every stage from design to dissemination. Centering co-design, training, accessibility, and lived experience ensures marginalized voices are included and systemic barriers are addressed. This approach builds confidence and trust while creating tangible impacts on policy, practice, and community wellbeing. In this episode of Disability Dialogues, Dr. Karan Soldatic introduces the Tracking Pathways project, which partners with marginalized youth to co-design inclusive healthcare research. Senior Research Associate Dr. Mikyung Lee interviews Nastacia Crowe-Missens, a nursing student and youth leader, who shares their experience shaping the project through lived expertise, collaborative survey design, and specialized training. Nat highlights the importance of centering youth voices and addressing root causes of health inequities. The episode demonstrates how genuine youth engagement makes research more relevant, accessible, and impactful for communities facing systemic barriers. The Tracking Pathways project, as highlighted in this episode of Disability Dialogues, sets a new standard for inclusive, community-driven research. By centering youth—especially those from marginalized backgrounds—as co-designers and leaders, the project not only produces more relevant and impactful findings but also empowers the next generation of change-makers.For researchers, practitioners, and community leaders, the message is clear: meaningful youth engagement and co-design are not just ethical imperatives—they are essential for creating research that truly addresses the needs and aspirations of diverse communities. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Learn about the experiences of a youth leader involved in the project and their journey into research. Understand the co-design approach in research, emphasizing collaboration between youth and researchers. Explore the role youth voices have in shaping research questions and ensuring relevance. Resources Explore the CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing’s ⁠Website⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Doctor Mikyung Lee and Nastacia Crowe-Missens: Website (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/tracking-pathways-through-education-and-employment/) Dr. Karen Soldatic: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-soldati%C4%87-42912426/) | ⁠CERC Profile⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/karen-soldatic/) Toronto Metropolitan University: ⁠Website⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/) SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council: ⁠Website⁠ (https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en.aspx) CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research: ⁠Website⁠ (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html) NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: ⁠Website (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/index_eng.asp) Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Disability Dialogues is a podcast that explores bold ideas, community-led research, and inclusive practices shaping the future of healthcare and wellbeing. Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. Share it with friends and colleagues. Let’s inspire more people to co-create change. Find out more about the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Thank you for tuning in!

11. 

    10 Sept 2025

    Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Reimagining Disability Support Systems

    Current disability supports in Canada keep people surviving, not thriving. Thriving means more than financial security — it includes wellbeing, belonging, autonomy, and growth. Policies must shift from deficit-based to person-centered, expanding real financial supports, ensuring accessibility, and valuing all forms of participation, guided by the voices of people with disabilities. In this episode of "Disability Dialogues," research student Justin Manning sits down with Dr. Eun Jung to talk about the “Thriving versus Surviving" project. They discuss the limitations of current disability supports in Canada, emphasizing the need to move beyond basic survival toward true inclusion and flourishing. Justin shares insights from his research on policy and lived experience, highlighting the importance of autonomy, belonging, and meaningful participation for people with disabilities. The conversation challenges deficit-based models and calls for holistic, equity-driven approaches to disability policy and community wellbeing. The project challenges us to reimagine disability policies in Canada. It calls for a shift from a system that merely prevents hardship to one that actively enables flourishing. By centering the voices and experiences of people with disabilities, investing in holistic. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Learn about the "Thriving versus Surviving" project and its objectives. Understand the gaps in the current disability support systems and their impact on quality of life. Discover the relationship between poverty reduction strategies and employment for people with disabilities. Resources Explore the CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing’s ⁠Website⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Justine Manning and Dr. Eun Jung Website (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/thriving-vs-surviving/) Dr. Karen Soldatic: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-soldati%C4%87-42912426/) | ⁠CERC Profile⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/karen-soldatic/) Toronto Metropolitan University: ⁠Website⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/) SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council: ⁠Website⁠ (https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en.aspx) CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research: ⁠Website⁠ (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html) NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: ⁠Website (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/index_eng.asp) MCCSS –  Building a strong foundation for success: Reducing poverty in Ontario Website (https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-strong-foundation-success-reducing-poverty-ontario-2020-2025) MLITSD – 2024 annual report: Poverty reduction strategy Government of Ontario Website (https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1003113/ontario-launches-free-job-training-for-people-with-disabilities) Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Disability Dialogues is a podcast that explores bold ideas, community-led research, and inclusive practices shaping the future of healthcare and wellbeing. Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. Share it with friends and colleagues. Let’s inspire more people to co-create change. Find out more about the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Thank you for tuning in!

12. 

    3 Sept 2025

    Can Safety and Digital Inclusion Coexist for Women and Girls with Disabilities?

    While digital technologies promise empowerment and inclusion, they also introduce new risks—especially for those at the intersection of gender and disability. Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) is abuse carried out through digital tools, disproportionately affecting women and girls with disabilities due to reliance on assistive tech, socioeconomic barriers, and caregiver or peer control. While risks include harassment, surveillance, and limited access to safe devices, digital spaces can also empower through advocacy, self-expression, and economic opportunities. In this episode of "Disability Dialogues," Research Associate Eunice Tunggal hosts a conversation with Researcher in Disability and Rehabilitation Studies Babalwa Tyabashe-Phume about the risks and opportunities of digital access for women and girls with disabilities in the Global South. They discuss technology-facilitated gender-based violence, unique vulnerabilities, barriers to research, and the empowering potential of digital platforms. The episode highlights both the dangers—such as online abuse and control by caregivers—and the positive impact of technology for advocacy, economic opportunity, and community support, emphasizing the need for inclusive, accessible digital spaces. The conversation underscores a critical truth: digital inclusion and safety must go hand in hand. For women and girls with disabilities in the Global South, technology is both a lifeline and a potential source of harm. By centering their voices, addressing intersectional risks, and investing in accessible, community-driven solutions, we can co-create a digital future that is truly inclusive and safe for all. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Learn the concept and definition of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). Understand the intersection of ableism and gender inequality in the context of digital violence. Discover the challenges in researching the experiences of women with disabilities due to the digital divide and socioeconomic barriers. Resources Explore the CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing’s ⁠Website⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Eunice Tunggal and Babalwa Tyabashe-Phume: Website (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/research-program/projects/gender-based-violence-and-digital-technology/) Dr. Karen Soldatic: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-soldati%C4%87-42912426/) | ⁠CERC Profile⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/karen-soldatic/) Toronto Metropolitan University: ⁠Website⁠ (https://www.torontomu.ca/) SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council: ⁠Website⁠ (https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en.aspx) CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research: ⁠Website⁠ (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html) NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: ⁠Website (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/index_eng.asp) Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Disability Dialogues is a podcast that explores bold ideas, community-led research, and inclusive practices shaping the future of healthcare and wellbeing. Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. Share it with friends and colleagues. Let’s inspire more people to co-create change. Find out more about the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Thank you for tuning in!

13. 

    27 Aug 2025

    Dr. Karen Soldatic on Co-Designing Healthcare for Marginalized Communities

    What does it really take to make healthcare equitable for marginalized communities? For millions living with disabilities, racialized demographics and women, accessing healthcare can feel more like an obstacle rather than something helpful. It’s neither built for them nor with them in mind. Despite good intentions, many services remain inaccessible, unresponsive, and disconnected from the realities of the people they serve. We often talk about health in terms of medicine and policy. However, seldom do we explore structural bias, digital exclusion, and lack of community participation. In this episode of Disability Dialogues, CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing Chair Dr. Karen Soldatic speaks with Tarndeep Pannu, the Strategic & EDI+Accessibility Communications Specialist at the CERC. Together, they explore how responsible research by design can challenge existing norms and propose new frameworks that prioritize health equity and community wellbeing. They dive into four key pillars, social determinants of health, accessibility, Indigenous health, and digital health, that serve as the foundation for radically rethinking how inclusivity is built into healthcare systems. This conversation shows why health equity needs more than good intentions. Walk away knowing how co-design puts community voices at the center of change. Learn how the four pillars work together to dismantle systemic barriers. Finally, hear what it takes to build healthcare systems that are inclusive by design, not as an afterthought. Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode: Understand how the social and structural determinants of health impact marginalized communities and how inclusive research reframes these challenges. Learn actionable strategies for co-designing healthcare services with Indigenous and disabled communities at the center. Explore the complexities of digital health solutions and why accessibility goes far beyond having internet access. Resources Explore the CERC in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing’s Website (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Tarndeep Pannu: LinkedIn (https://ca.linkedin.com/in/tarndeeppannu) | CERC Profile (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/people/cerc-health-team/tarndeep-pannu/) Dr. Karen Soldatic: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-soldati%C4%87-42912426/) | CERC Profile (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/karen-soldatic/) Toronto Metropolitan University: Website (https://www.torontomu.ca/) SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council: Website (https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en.aspx) CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Website (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html) NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: Website (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/index_eng.asp) Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Disability Dialogues is a podcast that explores bold ideas, community-led research, and inclusive practices shaping the future of healthcare and wellbeing. Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. Share it with friends and colleagues. Let’s inspire more people to co-create change. Find out more about the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/ (https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity/) Thank you for tuning in!

14. 

    20 Aug 2025

    Introducing Disability Dialogues - Season 1

    Welcome to Disability Dialogues, a podcast about co-creating inclusive healthcare and wellbeing with communities brought to you by the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing at Toronto Metropolitan University. If this trailer sparked something in you, don’t let it stop here. Visit torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity (http://torontomu.ca/cerc-health-equity) and check out our Knowledge Mobilization Hub to explore more accessible research, resources, and tools you can share with your community.

15. 

    24 Apr 2025

    At What Cost: Special Release on MAiD

    Content note: This episode contains discussions of suicide and medical assistance in dying (MAiD) for mental illness. This special release explores the complexities and emotional terrain of MAiD through a personal and reflective lens, inviting listeners to consider what it means to navigate life, loss, and autonomy within academic and institutional spaces.

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