PEOPLE with disabilities continue to face many challenges in their daily lives. According to Statistics Canada, the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability found 27% of Canadians (around 8 million people) had one or more disabilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates around 15 per cent of the world’s population, or around 1 billion people, live with disabilities. StatsCan also found that unemployment rates for those with disabilities were twice as high than those without disabilities. Canadian studies have found even doctors and medical students with disabilities go through a number of challenges in medical schools.
An engaging and forward-thinking study led by Dr. Farhan Asrar, a University of Toronto faculty member and physician leader at the Trillium Health Partners (THP), was recently published in Nature’s Communications Medicine that highlights the challenges doctors and others with disabilities go through, and explored ways to challenge and transform existing norms by looking into the space world.
Asrar led a team of NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) experts that included NASA’s Dana Bolles, an engineer working with NASA for 30 years. Bolles is a disability ambassador in space and Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), and was part of the first crew of disabled professionals that flew in zero-gravity under Mission AstroAccess (an organization that promotes disability in STEM and space). The other co-author is Dr. Thu Jennifer Ngo-Anh from the European Space Agency (ESA), who has served as Team Leader for ESA’s Human and Robotic Exploration, responsible for coordinating ground-based and space-based science activities.
Asrar is also a national mentor for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) in primary care through an initiative under the Equity in Health Systems Lab and College of Family Physicians of Canada. He and his co-authors, highlight that, much like other fields, the space sector had its challenges which limited women, racialized communities, those with disabilities and other equity deserving groups. Asrar says: “However, the space sector has been undergoing a significant change, with an increasing focus on diversity, inclusion, and fostering international collaboration.”
He notes how there is increased awareness and involvement of those with disabilities in the space sector, such as a number of parabolic or zero-gravity flights for professionals with disabilities. One major initiative is the European Space Agency’s Parastronaut program, which invited people with a physical disability to apply to be a parastronaut (which ESA describes as an astronaut with a disability).ESA went on to select Dr. John McFall as the world’s first parastronaut. McFall, as a result of a motorcycle accident, had is leg amputated at the age of 19 and then went on to become a surgeon and paralympic athlete. He has now been cleared to fly into space.
Asrar and colleagues also reflect on ‘Gallaudet 11’, which were a series of tests that NASA conducted on 11 deaf individuals in the 1950s, including on a ferry off the coast of Nova Scotia. The 11, who were not susceptible to motion sickness due to their damaged inner ears did not have any issues but the researchers with them became seasick. “This shows us that, in certain conditions and environments, those from an equity deserving group including those with disabilities may even have an advantage over others” says Asrar.
Asrar also points out that even NASA’s Artemis missions, which is focusing on going back to the Moon, will involve the first woman, and the first black astronaut heading to Moon orbit. Canadian astronaut Col. Jeremy Hansen will also create history by becoming the first Canadian and first non-American to enter Moon’s orbit. The Artemis missions also has over 40 countries, including Canada signed up to work together.
Asrar highlights other examples of disability ambassadors and champions such as Dr. Rheanna Robinson, Terry Fox, David Onley, and others. Asrar emphasizes the need to put an end to ableism: “We need to champion the end of discriminating against someone with a disability, and instead focus on ensuring everybody has the same opportunity to participate to the best of their abilities and interests. Whether in space, healthcare, medical schools or in our daily lives, it is essential to ensure equal consideration, inclusion and accommodations for people with disabilities, as well as others from equity deserving groups.”
When asked if he had any advice for people with disabilities interested in space and STEM, Asrar says: “My advice would be to pursue your passion and follow your dreams; don’t be afraid to challenge stereotypes and break barriers. And I suggest to seek out resources, technologies and community / networks to assist you reach your goals. That is, there are so many accessibility aids, wearable technology, and organizations that are now available to support reaching your goals.”
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