Message from the Vice-President Research - Learning Health Systems: Launch of Call for Expressions of Interest to Join CIHR External Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Systemic Ableism

At CIHR, we are committed to working with the health research community to identify and address barriers to accessibility in the Canadian health research funding system. Our goal, as outlined in the CIHR Strategic Plan, is to create an equitable and barrier-free health research ecosystem and to support the diverse and inclusive culture that is known to promote world-class research. We know that making research systems accessible and dismantling systemic ableism is a key step towards meeting our mandate of supporting excellent research. We also know that this work necessitates sustained discussion and persistent actions. We are committed to engaging with organizations and members of the research community with lived experience and expertise to co-develop an action plan to improve accessibility in the CIHR funding system. This work must be done together with disability communities and their allies in order to be effective and sustainable.

In light of this need for a collaborative approach and as part of our commitment to making health research systems more accessible, CIHR is convening an External Advisory Committee on Accessibility & Systemic Ableism. This committee will guide our work to address systemic barriers in CIHR’s programs, policies, and service delivery and do so in a manner that is based in the experiences of people with disabilities and their allies from diverse backgrounds across Canada. This work will also be in alignment with the Accessible Canada Act (2019).

I am pleased to announce that the call for expressions of interest to join the committee is now open. CIHR invites applications from individuals who have diverse experience with disability or accessibility, including health researchers living with disabilities, leaders from disability communities, accessibility advocates, and experienced allies.

We invite you to view the full Call for Expressions of Interest: External Advisory Committee on Accessibility & Systemic Ableism for more information, including details on how to apply (deadline to apply: October 28, 2021).

Dr. Tammy Clifford
CIHR Vice-President, Research – Learning Health Systems
CIHR Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Champion

Date modified: