Hannah Maclean is a 19-year-old music lover on the autism spectrum, so to spend her summer helping do research into technology that would help young people with disabilities take part in the arts, music and physical activity is “like a dream.”
“I’ve found that using music helps people and I’m extremely lucky to be working in this lab,” said Maclean, who is entering her second year at the University of Toronto and has played piano since age five, guitar since 11 and recently joined a band.
The lab in question is PEARL (Possibility Engineering and Research Lab) at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, where Maclean will help researcher Elaine Biddiss on the project.
There was a time when research projects were allotted to graduate students only, leaving bright, curious undergraduates eagerly awaiting the day they could unravel their own mysteries.
But universities, hospitals and corporations have demolished those barriers and welcome younger helping hands.
The Ward Family Summer Student Research Program at Holland Bloorview, for instance, is geared toward undergraduate students, with a 12-week program that offers mentorship and a salary to young researchers. It also earmarks one spot for an Indigenous student and one for a student living with a disability.
“It’s important to start student researchers on this path as soon as possible,” said Tom Chau, vice-president of research at the hospital and director of its research institute. “There are so many potential research areas to attract students and the disability field may not be the first that comes to mind as a career. It’s important to get the idea into people’s consciousness.”
Maclean is contributing to research that Biddiss said is “aimed at reducing the opportunity gaps that exist in early years to access music education. For children with disabilities, there are often barriers. And we’re trying to address that with a fun and engaging app that provides some learning opportunities.”
Maclean has reviewed music curriculum guidelines for students in grades 1 to 3 in school districts across the province, pointing out accessibility considerations that will help ensure the app aligns with music curricula, Biddiss said. She is also being mentored by the lab’s game developer. They brainstorm about which of her findings is transmissible to an app.
Maclean is hoping to work toward a career as a music therapist or music teacher. “This will help me prepare,” she said.
Mallory Solomon, an Algoma University graduate in psychology, is also spending her summer doing lab research, working virtually. Oji-Cree from Constance Lake First Nation, Solomon lives in Hearst, Ont., far from the Bloorview Research Institute.
Solomon is part of a team developing brain-computer interface tools for children who can’t speak. One in particular, a cap, translates signals from the wearer’s brain into various actions, such as turning on a light or playing a computer game. It helps children with disabilities be independent and interact with their environment.
Solomon’s task is to create a framework to bring Indigenous voices to the research and enable Chau’s team to incorporate an Indigenous perspective.
“We don’t want to exclude anyone’s voice, but a lot of Indigenous communities are hesitant to participate in research in general,” Solomon said. “I’m trying to build relationships with Indigenous organizations and introduce the research in the right way, through sharing circles for example.
“It’s really exciting work,” added Solomon, who plans to pursue her master’s degree in psychology at Lakehead University this fall, then earn a PhD. “It’s important for Indigenous voices to be included in health research so their needs can be met.”
Biddiss believes the summer research program is valuable for both students and established researchers.
“Teaching students and providing research opportunities is an investment in the next generation of scientists and research innovations for kids with disabilities,” Biddiss said. “Students come with so much passion and enthusiasm; it’s rejuvenating and enriching for us as researchers and it’s an honour to participate.”
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2022-07-18 21:16:38Z
CBMikAFodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVzcGVjLmNvbS90cy9saWZlLzIwMjIvMDcvMTgvc3R1ZGVudHMtYnJpbmctc28tbXVjaC1wYXNzaW9uLWFuZC1lbnRodXNpYXNtLXRvLXJlc2VhcmNoLXByb2plY3RzLWF0LWhvbGxhbmQtYmxvb3J2aWV3LWhvc3BpdGFsLmh0bWzSAQA
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