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Research

Submission Requirements

Research That Changes Lives 

At Abilities Centre, research is not a separate function. It is woven into everything we do. 

Our in-house research department gives us a unique and ongoing opportunity to understand the real impact of our programs and services, and to continuously improve the support we provide to individuals, families, and communities across Durham Region and beyond. From evaluating the effectiveness of our programming to exploring new methodologies and contributing to the broader academic conversation on accessibility and inclusion, research helps us make better decisions, tell truer stories, and unlock more potential. 

We also work alongside university and community research partners to conduct novel research in the field of accessibility and inclusion, support community-based knowledge translation, and amplify the expertise of individuals with lived experience of disability. Abilities Centre is committed to advancing research that creates a better, more barrier-free life for all Canadians. 

For more information, contact research@abilitiescentre.org 

Interested in Collaborating With Us? 

Maayan Ziv and a Microsoft representative pose together after Microsoft won the Jim Flaherty Award for Leadership and Inclusion at the Accessibility Awards.

Abilities Centre supports a range of research collaborations aligned with our mission, programs, and community. Depending on the nature of your proposed project, collaboration may involve full partnership in study design and implementation, support through participant recruitment and site access, or ethics review through the Joint Research Ethics Board (JREB). 

We welcome researchers who are working on questions related to accessibility, inclusion, disability, physical literacy, health, and well-being, and we encourage you to get in touch early so we can help identify the right pathway for your project. 

Meet the Team

Mikaeli Cavell

Senior Manager, Research

Mikaeli holds a Master's degree in Health Sciences with a focus in Kinesiology from Ontario Tech University. Her graduate research explored quality parasport experiences among youth, reflecting a longstanding commitment to accessible and meaningful sport participation. Mikaeli has been part of the Abilities Centre team since 2021, working across a range of roles within the research department and leading the implementation of the impact assessment framework used to evaluate all programs and services at Abilities Centre. Before entering the research field, she worked as a strength coach for varsity athletes, a recreation therapy assistant, a skating coach, and a pickleball club manager. That breadth of experience informs her approach to research that is practical, community-grounded, and oriented toward real-world impact. Mikaeli is passionate about improving access to quality grassroots recreation and movement programming for people of all abilities.

Imama Noor

Senior Coordinator, Research and Program Evaluation

Imama holds a Master's degree in Developmental Psychology and Psychopathology from King's College London, where her research explored the behavioural dimensions of autism and advances in therapeutic strategies and supports for autistic individuals. Since joining Abilities Centre in 2024, Imama has supported the organization's research ethics processes as Research Coordinator and Joint Research Ethics Board Secretariat, gaining experience across all aspects of ethics review and research administration. Outside of Abilities Centre, she contributes to research focused on trauma-informed care, with a particular interest in applied studies that inform practice and promote well-being in underserved and equity-deserving communities. When she is not in the office, Imama is exploring new coffee shops across the city and maintaining a very serious mental ranking of them. She also experiments with her own coffee recipes at home, often inspired by the best ones she finds along the way.

Joint Research Ethics Board (JREB)

The Joint Research Ethics Board at Abilities Centre supports ethical review of research involving human participants across three partner organizations in Ontario.

The Joint Research Ethics Board (JREB) supports the ethical review of research involving human participants at Abilities Centre, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, and Grandview Kids, as well as selected external research projects. 

The JREB helps ensure that research is designed and conducted in a way that protects participants, supports their welfare, and reflects recognized ethical standards and applicable institutional requirements. Review activities are guided by the principles of respect for persons, concern for welfare, and justice, as outlined in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2). 

Researchers interested in conducting work with one or more of our partner organizations, or seeking JREB review for an external project, are encouraged to review our submission information and collaboration pathways before applying. 

Terms of Reference

Standard Operating Procedures

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Principle investigators Responsibilities

The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for the implementation of the research study, its scientific and ethical conduct and the protection of each research participant.
The PI must conduct the research study in compliance with the Tri-Council Policy Statement; relevant regulations (i.e., ICH Good Clinical Practice: Consolidated Guidelines; Division 5, Canadian Food and Drug Regulations; Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act admits applicable Regulations) and all other applicable laws and regulations of Ontario.

The PI must ensure that the Research Team (all co-investigators, researchers and other personnel) involved in the research study are qualified and experienced to conduct the study. The PI must also ensure that the Research Team adheres to the protocol and consent form(s) as approved by the Joint Research Ethics Board (JREB).
All JREB review materials (JREB application(s), correspondence with the JREB, approved consent(s), and JREB approval letter) must be reviewed by the PI. Responses to the JREB review letter must be signed off by the PI to confirm their review and agreement with the response.

Clinical Trials

For details on “clinical studies” as defined by Health Canada (i.e., involving an investigational drug or medical device), please refer to the link below for the Ontario Shores Research Ethics Board website.

External Principal Investigator

For studies originating from outside of Abilities Centre or Ontario Shores, a qualified staff member from Abilities Centre or Ontario Shores must be involved as the institutional liaison (local Principal or Co- Investigator), who will accept complete responsibility for the research activities at the institution. The institutional liaison for research taking place at Abilities Centre site will be a qualified Abilities Centre staff. The institutional liaison will also serve as the administrative contact with the JREB. The role of institutional liaison applies only for studies where the PI initiating the study is not a staff member and external to Abilities Centre.

Ontario Shores Research Ethics Board

JREB Membership 

The JREB brings together members with varied expertise, lived experience, and organizational and community perspectives to support thoughtful and balanced ethics review. This multidisciplinary approach helps ensure that research is evaluated not only for scientific and procedural quality, but also for participant welfare, accessibility, and context. 

In keeping with applicable ethics guidance and institutional requirements, the Board includes members with experience in research ethics and relevant subject matter areas, as well as community representation. Membership is reviewed and updated periodically. 

2026 JREB Membership

Name  Role 
Shilpa Dogra  Chair, Scientific, Affiliated 
Gayathiri Rajkumar  Secretariat
Akosua Nwafor  Ethics, Affiliated 
Jennifer Van Meer  Privacy and Access, Affiliated 
Taryn Eickmeier  Scientific, Affiliated 
Shantel Mangroo  Scientific, Affiliated 
Karen Chartier  Community, Non-Affiliated 
Carolyn Wilson  Legal, Non-Affiliated 
Nicholas Cheung  Pharm, Affiliated 
Claire Hibbert  Scientific, Affiliated 

Types of collaboration

Information for researchers interested in collaborating with Abilities Centre or submitting to the Joint Research Ethics Board. 

Interested in collaborating with us?

 

Abilities Centre welcomes research collaborations that align with our mission, our community, and our programs. Whether you are looking for a full research partner, site access and recruitment support, or external ethics review, we encourage you to reach out before submitting so we can help determine the most appropriate pathway for your project. 

Principal Investigator requirements depend on the nature of the project and the role of Abilities Centre. Projects involving direct collaboration, site activity, participant recruitment, or local implementation require a local Principal Investigator to ensure institutional accountability and day-to-day oversight. Where Abilities Centre is involved as a participating site only, local responsibilities may differ from those of the overall study Principal Investigator. These expectations are reviewed during project planning and submission. 

We encourage all researchers to contact the research team before submitting so we can help identify the appropriate pathway, required documentation, and any local considerations. 

Types of collaboration

Full Research Collaboration 

For projects that are closely aligned with Abilities Centre priorities and involve meaningful organizational partnership. 

This may include: 

  • Study design and implementation 
  • Participant recruitment 
  • Use of Abilities Centre programs or settings 
  • Operational coordination 
  • Knowledge mobilization and dissemination support 

Depending on the project, a local Principal Investigator or site lead at Abilities Centre may be required. Project roles and responsibilities are confirmed before submission. 

Multi-Jurisdiction Research (MJR) 

For projects involving more than one participating institution or site, where Abilities Centre is one of several participating locations and ethics approval has already been obtained. 

These projects may require coordination across institutions, local site approvals, and clarification of local Principal Investigator responsibilities. Ethics and operational requirements may differ depending on the lead institution, study sponsor, and the role of each participating site. 

Recruitment Only 

For projects where Abilities Centre is not a full research partner but may assist with recruitment, study promotion, or limited operational support. 

Examples may include: 

  • Circulating recruitment materials 
  • Allowing access to a relevant participant population 
  • Supporting limited on-site study activity 
  • Identifying a local contact for coordination 

These projects may still require JREB review and organizational approval, even if Abilities Centre is not the study sponsor or lead research site. 

External Ethics Review Only 

Researchers who are not seeking active collaboration with Abilities Centre, Ontario Shores, or Grandview Kids may still be eligible to submit to the JREB for ethics review, depending on the nature of the study and the scope of the Board. 

Types of Review and Submission Requirements

The Joint Research Ethics Board (JREB) adopts a proportionate approach to ethics review, meaning the level of review is based on the level of risk presented by the research. There are two review pathways for new studies:

  • Full Board Review – Required for studies involving greater than minimal risk, such as clinical trials.
  • Delegated Review (Expedited) – Intended for studies that present minimal risk.

For studies requiring Full Board Review, submissions must be received three weeks prior to the monthly JREB meeting, by the end of the business day. JREB meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Studies eligible for Delegated Review may be submitted at any time. However, at the discretion of the JREB Chair, a study may be referred to the Full Board for review if necessary.

Please review the JREB Submission Process Flowchart and the Submission Checklist before preparing your application.

All submissions, regardless of review level, must be submitted through Submittable. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact inoor@abilitiescentre.org

Submission Process Flowchart Apply through Submittable

Publications

Research publications from Abilities Centre and our academic and community partners, exploring accessibility, inclusion, disability, and health.

Abilities Centre collaborates with academic and community partners on research that advances accessibility, inclusion, health, participation, and well-being. Our publications reflect work across multiple program and service areas, including physical literacy, community participation, disability experiences, rehabilitation, and inclusive programming. 

Browse selected publications by theme below. 

  • Sport and Physical Activity 
  • Physical Literacy 
  • Disability, Accessibility, and Inclusion 
  • COVID and National Disability Survey 

National Disability Survey Reports

Abilities Centre is proud to partner and collaborate with many academic researchers to conduct novel research across Canada. Below we highlight one of our recent initiatives, the National Disability Survey, and our publications from the last 7 years. This research has been conducted in partnership with various academic research labs. We look forward to more collaborations in the future and new publications that advance the literature in accessibility and inclusion.

COVID-19 Disability Report (Sept 2021-April 2022)

COVID-19 Disability Report COVID-19 Disability Report- Plain Language COVID-19 Disability Report ASL ENQUÊTE SUR LA COVID-19

COVID-19 Disability Report (Dec 2021-Sept 2022)

COVID-19 Disability Report COVID-19 Disability Report- Plain Language COVID-19 Disability Report ASL ENQUÊTE SUR LA COVID-19

COVID-19 Disability Report (June 2020- Dec 2020)

COVID-19 Disability Report COVID-19 Disability Report- Plain Language COVID-19 Disability Report ASL ENQUÊTE SUR LA COVID-19

Research Publications

Academic Journal Articles:

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Abilities Centre in the Literature