The Canadian Research Chair on Disability Policy is the umbrella program for research projects lead by Dr. Zwicker at the School of Public Policy. The research has three main objectives:

Objective 1 (Quantitative): To describe needs and service utilization patterns for health and disability services during transitions for youth with NDD in three key transition periods: early childhood diagnosis and intervention, school transitions (e.g. elementary to junior high), and adolescent to adult services.

Objective 2 (Qualitative): To understand the barriers and facilitators to accessing services and identify priorities for integrating service delivery across the three key transition periods from the perspective of decision makers, service providers, youth with NDD and their families. The focus will be on how total service utilization and social determinants of health impact health capacity for youth with NDD.

Objective 3 (Integration and Evaluation): To integrate the findings and evaluate a care coordination program for families of children with NDD (and care communities) addressing barriers to supports and services by looking at the socioeconomic impact on children, their families and the healthcare system.

Findings will have valuable policy implications for provincial and federal health, education and social service ministries to predict and plan for improved provision of efficient, equitable and inclusive services and supports.

Various projects contribute to the achievement of these objectives. For more information on projects, click here (link)

Program Duration: March 2020 – February 2025

Funded through Canada Research Chairs (CRC) and various project funding.