Digital technologies provide new opportunities to facilitate meaningful communication. We can use these technologies to get around various challenges, including cultural barriers and accessibility. At the same time, the specific needs of people with physical or cognitive disabilities, socioeconomic disadvantages, or those who live in remote locations must be considered to make sure they are aided and not at risk of being further marginalized due to lower tech-savviness and social isolation.

The following speakers will highlight how user needs, training, and context impact an individual's ability to use technology. Speakers will discuss: 1) how new assistive technologies can be leveraged to reduce barriers for older adults, people with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, people with socioeconomic disadvantage, and people who live in remote settings;  2) ways to support the use of these technologies in the health research setting; and 3) the importance of using an equity, diversity and inclusion lens when developing and procuring technologies for use in health, research and social care systems.

Dr. Karen Kobayashi, Associate Dean Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences; Professor, Department of Sociology; Research Fellow, Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, University of Victoria

1. Title: Leveraging assistive technologies (AT) to address communication barriers for community-dwelling older adults living with cognitive impairment: The importance of applying an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) lens in AT development, policy, and practice.

Dr. Robin Green, Clinical Neuropsychologist/Senior Scientist, KITE Research Institute, University Health Network; Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

1. Title: TeleNeurorehabilitation to reduce barriers to accessing treatments for people with physical and/or cognitive disability, people with socioeconomic disadvantage, and people who live remote from treatment centres.

Moderator: Dr. Azadeh Yadollahi, Scientist, KITE Research Institute, University Health Network; Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto; Chair, Research Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Advisory Committee

Zoom info: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Xpn9vVRpSRimkntlTC6OLw