Call for Expressions of Interest: External Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Systemic Ableism

CIHR is seeking expressions of interest to participate in an External Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Systemic Ableism.

This group will provide the CIHR Vice-President, Research – Learning Health Systems with guidance on the identification of barriers to accessibility within the health research funding system, and will help to inform the development of a CIHR accessibility action plan that aligns with the requirements of the Accessible Canada Act (2019).

CIHR welcomes individuals with diverse perspectives across Canada to join the committee. We are looking for 10 individuals who have diverse experience with disability or accessibility, including health researchers living with disabilities, leaders from disability communities, accessibility advocates and experienced allies.

CIHR is committed to enabling barrier-free processes and environments. We recognize that barriers may exist for individuals applying to this committee and we are actively working to ensure diverse access needs are met.

About the committee

Vision

To create an equitable and accessible health research funding system that supports researchers with disabilities in the production of world-class research.

Mandate

The mandate of the CIHR external advisory committee is to provide CIHR’s Vice-President, Research – Learning Health Systems with guidance on the identification of barriers (including systemic ableism) to accessibility within the funding system, including the development of a CIHR accessibility action plan in alignment with the Accessible Canada Act (2019).

Committee Objectives

• Advise CIHR on actions and best practices related to the committee mandate;
• Advise on engagement approaches to gather information on barriers and solutions that would improve accessibility and address systemic ableism in the funding system;
• Review and provide feedback on drafts of the accessibility action plan;
• Advise on appropriate longer-term oversight mechanisms to implement the accessibility action plan.

Time Commitment

A total of 10-12 meetings are expected to occur between January and December 2022, though this may change according to operational and committee member needs. Meetings will be held by videoconference (with the specific platform to be determined). Accessible format selection will occur in consultation with successful candidates once the official committee is established.

Compensation

Members will be offered compensation, in recognition of their time commitment and expertise.

Committee Accommodations

Expenses arising from disability-related accommodations to access meetings and meeting materials will not be deducted from compensation. The CIHR aims to support barrier-free access to meetings and meeting materials for members of the external advisory committee. Accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We ask that members please signal their need for an accommodation in a timely manner and if possible, before their committee responsibilities commence.

Review Process

Membership will be selected in a way that considers:

• Intersectionality. CIHR encourages applications from candidates who identify as: Deaf, Neurodivergent, people with invisible and visible disabilities, Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit), members of a community marginalized by racism, women, gender diverse and/or members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
• Diversity of disability identity and experience. We recognize that there are multiple ways of understanding, experiencing and identifying with disability. We welcome all ways of identifying, including identities and experiences that are medical, social or cultural.
• Different career stages (trainees/students, early career researchers, established principal investigators) and different types of research experience (This includes but is not limited to lab, community, patient, and disability studies based research)

How to apply

Interested individuals are invited to apply through one of the following options:

• A one to two page written document, or;
• A pre-recorded video or audio-recording, or;
• A live phone or video interview. Interviews must be requested by email to the following address, edi@cihr-irsc.gc.ca or phone number 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).

Submissions must include responses to the following questions:

1. How do your interests and knowledge align with the mandate of the committee? Please explain.
2. Do you have experience related to disability or accessibility? This includes but is not limited to experience in, professional, personal, academic, community, and volunteer contexts. If yes, please explain.
3. Do you have experience in health research or the health research environment? This includes but is not limited to lab, community, patient, and disability studies based research. If yes, please explain.
4. Do you identify as a person with a disability?
   • Yes
   • No
   • I prefer not to answer

If gaps exist in the above areas within applications received, additional members may be sought via invitation.

All submission contents will be kept confidential and only used for committee membership selection.

The application will remain open for a total of 6 weeks, starting September 13, 2021 and ending October 28, 2021 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Applications and questions should be sent to the following email address: edi@cihr-irsc.gc.ca. Applicants can also call 1‑888‑603‑4178 to ask questions about the committee or find out how to apply in other ways (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).

While all applications are appreciated, only selected candidates will be contacted.

Date modified:

2021-09-13