CIHR survey on ableism and barriers to accessibility in the health research funding system

We know that there are barriers to accessibility that make it harder for some people, including people with disabilities, to take part in health research. We also know that ableism happens in the health research funding system. Ableism is a type of discrimination that limits the potential of persons with disabilities. One of the goals in CIHR's Strategic Plan is to make our funding fully accessible to all.

The purpose of this survey is to collect information about ableism and barriers to accessibility at CIHR, and in the broader health research funding system. We will summarize survey answers and use the information to co-develop an action plan with the CIHR External Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Systemic Ableism.

If you have a disability or health condition that affects how you interact with the health research funding system, or you have helped someone navigate ableism and barriers to accessibility in the health research funding system, we would like to learn from you. We welcome the following groups of people to complete the survey:

• Health researchers with disabilities
• Health research trainees with disabilities
• Undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities enrolled in health-oriented programs
• Individuals who have a health condition that affects how they interact with the health research funding system
• Users or holders of knowledge related to health research
• Experienced allies of people with disabilities.

About the Survey

You can complete the survey online, or you may choose another format. The online survey includes video with sign language and audio. We also have Microsoft Word and PDF versions available. You can also request a braille version by emailing us at edi@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

You may send your answers to us in different ways, such as an audio or video recording or in written format using Microsoft Word, PDF, or email.

To submit your answers in one of these formats, for help completing or submitting your answers, and for more information please go to the Frequently Asked Questions section.

Please note the following about the privacy of the survey:

• Your individual survey answers will never be shared.
• Your participation in this survey is voluntary and will not affect any current or future applications to CIHR programs.

Starting the Survey

There are two versions of the survey.

• Version one: This version is for people with a disability or health condition that affects how they interact with the health research funding system.
• Version two: This version is for those who have witnessed, or who have helped someone navigate, issues of ableism or barriers to accessibility in the health research funding system.

Version one:

If you are a person with a disability or health condition that affects how you interact with the health research funding system, choose one of the survey options below.

• Online survey.
• Online survey with ASL or LSQ interpretation and audio.
• English Word document [ DOC (47 KB) ]
• French Word document [ DOC (51 KB) ] (in French only)
• English PDF document [ PDF (213 KB) ]
• French PDF document [ PDF (258 KB) ] (in French only)
• Email edi@cihr-irsc.gc.ca for a Braille version of the survey

Version two:

If you have witnessed, or helped others navigate, issues of ableism and barriers to accessibility in the health research funding system, choose one of the options below.

• Online survey.
• Online survey with ASL or LSQ interpretation and audio.
• English Word document [ DOC (44 KB) ]
• French Word document [ DOC (50 KB) ] (in French only)
• English PDF document [ PDF (200 KB) ]
• French PDF document [ PDF (241 KB) ] (in French only)
• Email edi@cihr-irsc.gc.ca for a Braille version of the survey

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who can I contact for help with the survey?

  We have tried to make this survey very accessible but we know that barriers to participating may still exist.

  You can request accommodations or other support by emailing us at edi@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

  You can also call the CIHR Contact Centre at 1 888 603 4178. For communication in English press 1, for French press 2. After selecting a language, press 4 for general inquiries and to speak to a staff member.

  Accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• The survey is online. Can I ask for a different format?

  Yes! We have the following accessible formats ready:

  • Video with ASL/LSQ and audio
  • Microsoft Word or PDF documents, including a larger font version.
• Is there a Braille version available?

  Yes! If you would like a Braille version of the survey, please email us at edi@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

• How do I send my answers if I use an accessible format of the survey?

  If you would like to send us your answers in an accessible format, please send us an email at edi@cihr-irsc.gc.ca. We would be happy to receive your answers in many formats, including Microsoft Word, PDF, email or audio or video recording.

• What can I do if I am feeling distressed?

  We are aware that the questions in this survey may be triggering for some people. We are also aware that there is potential for harm. If you need support during or after completing this survey, there are resources to help.

  We encourage you to use support systems offered by your employer.

  There are also free supports available online. The Wellness Together Canada portal offers free peer support or counselling and grounding practices, such as:

  • Abdominal Breathing
  • Take 5 practice
  • Breathe in Peace and Energy
  • Glowing Fire Body Scan
  • Deep Breathing
• Who can complete the survey?

  We welcome the following groups of people to complete this survey:

  • Health researchers with disabilities
  • Health research trainees with disabilities
  • Undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities enrolled in health-oriented programs
  • Individuals who have a health condition that affects how they interact with the health research funding system
  • Users or holders of knowledge related to health research
  • Experienced allies of people with disabilities

  For the purposes of this survey, health research includes fields of study that:

  • Fall under the CIHR four pillars of research or are,
  • Health-oriented, including patient, community-based, or disability studies research.

  We recognize there are multiple ways of understanding, experiencing and identifying with disability. We also know that not all people who need accommodations identify as someone living with a disability. CIHR welcomes survey participation from all disability identities and experiences including those that are medical, social, or cultural.

• What does ableism mean?

  Ableism is a type of discrimination and “refers to attitudes in society that devalue and limit the potential of persons with disabilities”. Ableism within institutions and in policies, processes, and practices is called systemic ableism. When the needs of people with disabilities are not considered in policies, processes, and practices, it means that people with disabilities are excluded from participating in the same way as non-disabled people.

• What informed the survey content?

  The questions in this survey were developed with guidance from the CIHR External Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Systemic Ableism. This committee is made up of health researchers, trainees and patient or community partners with lived/living experience with disability and/or accessibility. The committee also includes allies with ties to the health research community.

  We also looked at literature about issues of accessibility and ableism in health research funding.

• Do I have to answer every question?

  This survey is voluntary. We would love to get your answers to all the questions, but none of the questions are mandatory. You may choose not to answer any question. It will not stop you from being able to continue through the survey.

• Do I have to answer all the questions at once?

  You do not have to finish all the questions at once. Your answers will be saved, and you can return to finish the survey later. Your answers will not be sent to us until you submit them at the end of the survey.

• Will I be compensated for completing this survey?

  This survey is voluntary. No compensation will be given for your participation in this survey.

• Is confidentiality guaranteed?

  All survey responses are completely confidential. The CIHR Accessibility and Systemic Ableism Secretariat will see the survey answers. This is a small team of people at CIHR who work on tasks related to disability, accessibility, and ableism.

  Your answers will not be linked to you as an individual, and your answers will also never be linked to any other information at CIHR. Please do not include information such as your name, email, phone number, place of employment, and home or work address in your responses.

• Why are you asking me questions about characteristics of my identity?

  We are asking questions about characteristics of identity so that we can describe the people who answered our survey. We know that different people experience barriers in different ways and that it is important we do not take a one-size-fits-all approach to fixing these barriers.

• How will survey responses be used?

  The CIHR Accessibility and Systemic Ableism Secretariat will analyze the survey answers. All analyses and reporting of the survey answers will be done in aggregate form. This means that no personally identifying information will be included. If we use direct quotes in our reporting, they will be cited as anonymous. We will make the findings available in accessible formats on our website.

  Findings will inform decision making within CIHR on matters of accessibility. Results will also guide the co-development of a CIHR accessibility and systemic ableism action plan.

• Where will my answers be stored?

  Answers will be stored securely on a CIHR server and will not be linked to any other database. Information will be disposed of when it is no longer needed for work related to our action plan.

Date modified:

2022-10-25