Race and Disability Research
The IDEA Project uses an applied research framework to identify practical and innovative solutions that support the accessibility and inclusion of Indigenous, Black, and Racialized people with disabilities across Canada. Our research is guided by our academic advisory committee and includes literature reviews, surveys, focus groups, and interviews.
Race and Disability in Canada: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Race and Disability Canada has conducted a groundbreaking literature review examining the overlooked intersection of race and disability, illuminating the unique challenges faced by Indigenous, Black, and Racialized individuals with disabilities through lived experiences rather than detached academic study.
The Way Forward: From the Margins to Leadership - Key Learnings on the Exclusion of Racialized People with Disabilities in Canada
This research provides critical, data-driven insights into the barriers faced by IBRpD and the disability sector in advancing accessibility and inclusion in Canada. It highlights key challenges, including the reluctance of non-racialized leaders to engage in discussions about race and the significant obstacles IBRpD experiences in employment, workplace discrimination, healthcare, education, and immigration. Based on three nationwide surveys (November 2023–January 2024) and follow-up focus groups (January–February 2024), this research delivers strategic recommendations to bridge these gaps within the disability sector. It serves as a vital resource for decision-makers, community advocates, and organizations committed to dismantling systemic barriers and fostering meaningful inclusion.
Literature Review of EDI Toolkit
Race and Disability Canada has conducted a comprehensive literature review of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) toolkits in Canada and the USA with a particular focus on the intersection of race and disability.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the outstanding contributions of the dedicated team of researchers, staff, and collaborators who brought this research to life under the banner of Race & Disability Canada (RDC).
We are deeply grateful to Bounmy Inthavong for her invaluable contributions to this research. Bounmy played an integral role throughout the project—authoring the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Toolkit Review, contributing to the Race and Disability Literature Review, and leading the design, facilitation, and analysis of the IDEA Research interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
She brought exceptional technical, analytical, and research expertise to the work, dedicating significant time to ensuring that the data was rigorously examined and thoughtfully interpreted. Her careful attention to what each demographic was expressing helped ensure that our findings are both substantive and deeply reflective of community perspectives. Bounmy’s commitment to research integrity and meaningful representation greatly strengthened the depth and credibility of this work.
Hibah Sidat contributed significantly to the literature review on race and disability and was the primary drafter of the IDEA Research Findings Report. She brought thought leadership and conceptual clarity to our work, helping the team to ground our community-led research practices in relevant theory and critical frameworks. Her ability to translate complex research into clear, compelling, and strategically bold insights was invaluable—demonstrating both research brilliance and a deep commitment to equity and justice.
Rayanne Banaga brought together the various components of the literature review, weaving the contributions of Bounmy and Hibah into a cohesive and comprehensive document. She also reviewed the IDEA findings report and provided thoughtful editorial guidance.
We would also like to thank Julia Scarangi for her early contributions to the research design, particularly in drafting the survey questions and assisting with foundational elements of the survey process.
A special thank you to Isabella Lau, our Marketing Coordinator, for managing and coordinating the launch of the three national surveys. Her careful planning ensured a smooth and efficient process from start to finish.
We are also grateful to Ameera Brown for her leadership in community engagement and for spearheading the initiative to recruit and onboard our IBRpD language translators, a key component of making this research more accessible and inclusive.
Deepest thanks to our Academic Advisory Committee for their ongoing guidance, critical insight, and unwavering encouragement throughout the research journey. Your expertise has been invaluable.
Finally, thank you to the entire RDC team—past and present—whose wholehearted commitment ensures that the lived realities of Indigenous, Black, and Racialized people with disabilities (IBRpD) remain front and centre in all that we do. Our research is deeply rooted in community, and this project stands as a testament to the brilliance, dedication, and leadership of those who contributed their knowledge, time, and lived experience.
