The IDEA Project
Our inaugural project is based on an IDEA. The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility (IDEA) project builds capacity within the disability sector on the intersections of race and disability through various programs and initiatives across Canada.
Our Programs
IDEA Practioners and Professionals Network
The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Practitioners and Professionals Network is an opportunity for staff who hold the diversity portfolio within disability organizations to come together and share information, network, and engage in dialogue on how to address the intersections of race and disability within your respective organizations.
Race and Disability Canada Peer Network
The Race and Disability Canada Peer Network is a forum for Indigenous, Black and Racialized people with disabilities from across Canada to connect, network and share information. Stay tuned for more information.
IDEA Community of Practice
The IDEA Community of Practice (CoP) is a learning network for decision makers and leaders in the disability sector to build confidence, learn about the intersections of race and disability, and co-create effective IDEA* strategies to apply in their disability organizations. We are rolling out this round of CoP in 3 cities across Canada: Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver.
*Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility
Storytelling Program
This is a storytelling initiative dedicated to amplifying the lived realities of Indigenous, Black, and Racialized people with disabilities. By sharing powerful narratives on social media, our program brings to light their unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs, fostering understanding and empathy within communities.
IBRpD Development Program
IBRpD Development Program is a webinar series for Indigenous, Black and Racialized people with disabilities that provides education and training on the intersections of racism and ableism, law and policy, self-advocacy and leadership development. A focus on wellbeing and self-care is also integrated into the curriculum. Stay tuned for more info.
IDEA Project Steering Committee
-
Rabia Khedr
CEO, DEEN Support Services
Rabia is the CEO of our parent organization, DEEN Support Services, a disability support organization created by and created to support Muslim Canadians with disabilities. She is a consultant with diversityworX, previously served as a commissioner at the Ontario Human Rights Commission, on the board of Accessibility Standards Canada, and a member of the National Disability Advisory Group organized by the Minister of Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough. Rabia was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. She is the founding member of Race and Disability Canada. -
Sricamalan Pathmanathan
Founding Member, Organization of Canadian Tamils with Disabilities (OCTD) & Ethno-Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario (ERDCO)
Sricamalan (Sri), in his mid-50s, immigrated to Canada from Sri Lanka as a victim of the minority Tamil ethnic cleansing. After earning a Master’s degree from New Dehli and London, Sri is a Human Resources professional at Toronto Metropolitan University and a founding member of OCTD and ERDCO.
-
Selvamanikam Bhrapakaran
ATI Foundation
Selvamanikam (Bhrapa) was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka with perfect eyesight. His visual impairment was caused by optic nerve and retinal issues caused by an accident while playing at a young age. He pursued his education in Colombo and obtained his Bachelor’s degree with Honours from the University of Jaffna. Due to the ongoing war in Sri Lanka, Bhrapa moved to Canada in 1997. He began working at Scotiabank, becoming the first person with vision loss in their call centre department. He has continued to work there for more than 25 years.
-
Ingrid Palmer
Focus on Ability
Ingrid (She/Her) is an award-winning speaker and bestselling author and holds the position of IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Leading to belonging) Chief Officer at Realize Canada. Ingrid is committed to helping combat discrimination in all forms, driving systemic change and debunking myths and stereotypes of stigmatized identities. Her dedication is deeply rooted in her lived experiences of early childhood trauma, living in foster care, disability, and gender-based violence.
-
Shahina Siddiqui
Co-Founder, Volunteer Executive Director, Islamic Social Services Association (ISSA)
Shahina is an educator, speaker, social justice activist, writer, and author. She is widely recognized for her work in anti-racism advocacy, social justice and combatting Islamophobia. For over two decades, Shaina has worked to highlight the ongoing growth of Islamophobia and its impacts through her writing, community organizing, media engagement, public speaking and offering training across various sectors. -
Meenu Sikand
CEO, Founder, Accessibility for All
Accessibility for All is a non-profit organization that helps other organizations make practices more accessible, with a specialized focus on youth, women, seniors, and people from racially marginalized communities. Meenu currently sits on the board of United Way GTA, the Canadian Women’s Foundation, and the Accessibility Standards Advisory Committee and has volunteered with several other organizations, including the Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) and ARCH Disability Law Centre. Meenu was inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame in 2020. -
Franceska Grantzidis
Interim Executive Director, Plan Institute
Franceska and Plan Institute lead efforts to empower individuals with disabilities to live fulfilling lives. With a focus on addressing intersectional barriers, Plan Institute provides educational material, collaborative community projects, and advocacy for policy reformation. -
Leroy Ennis
Ethno-Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario (ERDCO)
Leroy Ennis is a disability advocate that started working with the disability community in 2014 with ERDCO. He is currently the ERDCO board chair. Leroy has worked with numerous organizations and committees to address issues that create barriers for people with disabilities. He continues to work with and support organizations that advocate for disability rights, poverty reduction, accessibility and other barriers to people with disability.