As demand grows for technologies that support independent living, a 91ÑÇÉ« researcher will bring Canadian expertise and insights from community engaged research to the international standards that guide their development.
Shital Desai, an associate professor at the , has been appointed to the Standards Council of Canada's mirror committee for the International Electrotechnical Commission Systems Committee on Active Assisted Living (IEC/SyC AAL).
Through the appointment, Desai will contribute community-engaged research insights and subject matter expertise to Canada’s participation in the development of international standards for accessible assistive technologies.
The committee supports the development of standards for technologies, products and services that promote independent living, accessibility and quality of life for people of all ages and abilities, including older adults, people with disabilities and people living with dementia.
As a member, Desai will review standards documents, provide subject-matter expertise and help develop consensus based Canadian positions on international standards initiatives.
"This appointment is an opportunity for me to bring 91ÑÇÉ«'s expertise and commitment to inclusive innovation into international standards development," says Desai.
"I look forward to collaborating with experts from Canada and around the world to help shape technologies and systems that are accessible, responsible and responsive to people's needs."
The appointment reflects Desai's longstanding research in accessible interaction design, inclusive and assistive technologies, aging and dementia, as well as participatory approaches that engage older adults and people with disabilities in the design process. Her participation on the committee will also create opportunities to bring emerging international standards into both her research and teaching.
She plans to incorporate insights from the committee's work into course content and experiential learning opportunities, giving students exposure to the standards and requirements that shape technologies from design through implementation. Desai says students will also be encouraged to explore how accessibility-focused innovations can be translated into socially responsible and commercially viable solutions that address community needs.
"This role will allow me to introduce students to standards-informed design and show them how international standards influence the development, evaluation and adoption of accessible and assistive technologies," says Desai.
Beyond student learning, Desai sees the appointment as an opportunity to extend the global reach of her community-engaged research by helping to ensure accessibility and lived experience remain central considerations in standards development.
"Older adults, people with disabilities and people living with dementia often encounter usability and adoption barriers when technologies do not reflect their needs, abilities and everyday contexts," she says.
"When their perspectives and lived experiences inform standards, and standards subsequently guide the design and development process, technologies and services are more likely to be accessible, useful, interoperable and adopted in practice."
Desai hopes to help ensure that diverse perspectives are reflected in global standards development while demonstrating 91ÑÇÉ«'s leadership in inclusive innovation.
"Ultimately, I hope this work contributes to technologies and services that support independence, participation and quality of life in Canada and around the world."