Spinal Cord Injury Manitoba

10/27/2026

Participants Needed for Research in “Accessible Elections – Electors” Study

McMaster University research team, led by Prof. Samir Chidiac, is looking for volunteers to take part in a study about the voting experiences of people with disabilities during any of the 2026 Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Elections. The study aims to identify barriers that people with disabilities may face when voting and help make future elections more accessible and inclusive. We want to ensure that the voices and experiences of people with disabilities are heard.

Taking part in this study is completely voluntary. Choosing not to participate will not affect your relationship with McMaster University or any services you receive. If you choose to participate, we are inviting you to complete an online questionnaire using Microsoft Forms at your convenience and on your own electronic device. The questionnaire will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete.

Individuals who complete the questionnaire will receive a $10 gift card.

Eligible participants are individuals who self-identify as a person with a disability and have voted in any of the 2026 Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Elections.

For more details on this study, please click the link to the Letter of Information:
https://mcmasteru365-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/redam1_mcmaster_ca/IgCHp4qCffr7RYwjDr8EnXJDAbJzKbLrgv_9mtHg9z9peIQ

Please click the following link to access the questionnaire:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=B2M3RCm0rUKMJSjNSW9HcqSsh4WRhr5KsR5fSvVHT6tUMzI3OFAxMk4yRE9EVTRTVlJQMDQ4Tk9aSC4u

You need to provide your consent to be able to participate and start the questionnaire.

To make elections accessible and inclusive to every Canadian citizen, we need to identify the barriers. Please help us in this regard. We thank you in advance for your time and support.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Professor Samir E. Chidiac, Ph.D. P.Eng. FCSCE
Email [email protected]

Mouna Reda, Ph.D.
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON, Canada L8S 4L7
Email [email protected]

This study has been reviewed by and received ethics clearance by the McMaster Research Ethics Board ( #8535).

10/21/2026

Meet Jennifer Lavina, Spinal Cord Injury Manitoba's new Director of Rehabilitation Services. We're excited to share this announcement and about the many skills and talents Jennifer brings to this new role. Welcome Jennifer!!

"This is an exciting time and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to work with the SCI Manitoba team. I look forward to supporting the team in every way I can, and together, make a positive and meaningful impact in our community."

Learn more about Jennifer on her LinkedIn profile here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-lavina-cvrp-rtwdm-7b9796238/

09/23/2026

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries wants to hear from Manitobans who experience barriers to access because of a disability or disability-related need.

Leger is conducting a confidential survey to better understand accessibility barriers, experiences with MBLL, and priorities that should be considered in MBLL’s next Accessibility Plan.

If you have experienced barriers related to buildings or facilities, customer service, information or communication, employment, or other areas of access, we encourage you to share your perspective.

The survey is voluntary and will be open until October 4, 2026.

Take the survey here:
https://sv.legeropinion.com/MBLLAccessibilitysurvey-SCI

Your feedback will help inform future accessibility priorities and actions at Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

Digital ParaTracks has arrived! Read the fall 2026 issue online and subscribe today to get future issues in your inbox!

https://heyzine.com/flip-book/5795192424.html

08/20/2026

Are you a climber with a disability? I’d like to hear from you!

I am looking for adult climbers with physical disabilities in Canada to share their experience.

I invite you to participate in an online interview to hear about how you got involved in climbing and what your experiences are today.

With this project, I want to center your experience with paraclimbing or adaptive climbing - the good and the bad. With this project, we can better understand the current reality of climbers with disabilities in Canada.

No matter whether you climb indoors or outdoors, recreationally or in competition, I would love to hear from you. If you have a physical disability, have participated in paraclimbing at least 3 times in the last 5 years, and are of legal age, please contact me to schedule a confidential, one-on-one interview.

Contact me now!

Sophia Konermann
Email: [email protected]

Supervisors: Dr. Carmen Poulin ([email protected]), Dr. Lynne Gouliquer ([email protected]), and Dr. Ryan Hamilton ([email protected])

This project has been reviewed be the University of New Brunswick Research Ethics Board and is on file as REB 2026-119

06/19/2026

Training Opportunity for Canadians Living with Spinal Cord Injury – Praxis PLEX Fellowship
Praxis Spinal Cord Institute is a Canadian non-profit accelerating research and innovation to improve the lives of people with SCI. We believe people with Lived Experience (PLEX) of SCI should help shape the technologies and treatments that affect them.
The PLEX Fellowship is a paid, fully virtual opportunity open to people with SCI across Canada who want to build skills in health research, MedTech, and innovation.

Who Should Apply?

People with lived experience of SCI who are curious about how research and technology reach patients and can commit approximately 2-8 hours per week.

Fellowship Highlights:
• Paid 6-month fellowship (Sept 2026 -- Mar 2027)
• ~2-8 hours/week time commitment, fully virtual
• Weekly 1:1 coaching with an experienced PLEX mentor
• Weekly virtual innovation engagement sessions
• Education in MedTech commercialization

Application deadline is July 26, 2026.

To learn more, email Spring Hawes: [email protected]
https://praxisinstitute.org/

06/01/2026

Calling adults with a disability in BC, MB, ON, and NS!📢 We’re sharing an important new study from the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights and the University of Winnipeg.

If you have a disability, chronic condition, or access need that affects your housing or daily life, they want to hear from you. The goal is to better understand the housing barriers and discrimination people with disabilities face across Canada.

Participants can enter a draw for one of 20 $50 gift cards.

Scan the QR code on the poster to take the survey.

04/28/2026

Have you been pregnant in the past 5 years? Do you have a physical disability? The University of Alberta would love your input!

They’re recruiting people with a physical disability to take part in a research study on health and physical activity during pregnancy. By sharing your experiences, you’ll help them better understand how exercise during pregnancy looks across diverse physical abilities and how exercise may relate to different health outcomes.

The survey takes about 30 minutes and is completely anonymous: https://redcap.link/surveyPD

Your voice matters - help make pregnancy research more inclusive!

Principal Investigator: Margie Davenport [email protected]

03/19/2026

The Social Club's inaugural outing, to The Leaf at Assiniboine Park & Zoo, went very well on March 17, despite miserable weather conditions. Pictured below are a few of the SCI Manitoba members who attended: (L-R) Randy, Todd, and Ahmed, together with Alina, rehabilitation counsellor.

The Social Club is open to all SCI Manitoba members and provides a unique opportunity to share, laugh, connect, and learn. Events and outings are being planned for the next few months so please get in touch with the office at 204-786-4753 or by email at [email protected] if you're interested in participating. Future dates are April 21, May 26, June 16, and July 21.