Over the past 25 years as an Occupational Therapist working with people with disabilities and older adults, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the built environment either supports—or more often, hinders—our ability to live with dignity, independence, and safety. My journey has taken me into universities, workplaces, public buildings, and private homes. I’ve assessed function, prescribed equipment, facilitated rehabilitation, and advocated for change. But increasingly, one truth has become impossible to ignore: our homes are the foundation of health, well-being, and inclusion.
From Accessibility Audits to Real-World Impact
Early in my career, I became involved in public accessibility audits, working with municipalities and organizations to identify physical and systemic barriers in public spaces. These audits—though necessary—often led to slow or incremental change. While proud of the work, I began to notice something: even if someone could access their workplace, a park, library, or clinic, they were still struggling in their own homes. I saw clients navigating steep stairs with walkers, sleeping on couches because their bedroom wasn’t accessible, or delaying discharge from hospital because their home environment couldn’t support their recovery.
That realization shifted something in me. I began to redirect my professional energy from public spaces to private homes—where change could happen faster, and where the impact could be immediate.
The Scope of the Problem in Canada
According to Statistics Canada, over 27% of Canadians aged 15 and older—more than 8 million people—live with a disability. Mobility, pain, flexibility, and cognition are among the most common challenges reported. And as Canada’s population ages, that number is expected to rise dramatically.
Yet, fewer than 1 in 10 homes in Canada are accessible to someone with even basic mobility limitations. Waitlists for subsidized accessible housing can span years. Families often face difficult decisions about renovations, relocation, or institutional care—all while navigating emotional, financial, and logistical strain.
Accessible housing isn’t just a matter of convenience. It’s a public health issue. It affects falls, hospital readmissions, caregiver burnout, mental health, and the ability to age in place.
Shifting My Focus: Home as a Cornerstone of Care
Over the last decade, I’ve grown my clinical practice to focus specifically on helping clients identify and reduce barriers in their homes. From recommending simple grab bars to collaborating on major renovations, I’ve seen how tailored environmental changes can transform lives. I’ve worked with caregivers who felt relief for the first time in years. I’ve seen clients regain independence in cooking, bathing, and moving through their space. The home is more than a building—it is a platform for autonomy, safety, and belonging.
And so, what began as a clinical interest has evolved into a professional mission: to advance accessible housing in Canada through innovation, education, and collaboration.
Enter Incluzia: A Platform for Change
Incluzia was born from this mission. Our innovative tools in development —IncluzIT PRO (for health professionals, specifically occupational therapists) and IncluzIT HOME (for individuals and caregivers)—are designed to expedite safety and accessibility interventions in the home while optimizing health and wellbeing for older adults and people with disabilities.
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IncluzIT PRO empowers OTs and care teams with digital tools to complete home assessments, prescribe equipment, and recommend modifications with professional consistency and clarity.
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IncluzIT HOME offers individuals and caregivers self-guided screenings and resources to understand, prioritize, and implement changes to improve accessibility and safety.
But tools alone aren’t enough. Incluzia also leads workshops, supports health system integration, and advocates alongside community partners to embed accessibility into healthcare, housing, and policy.
Looking Ahead: From Individual Impact to Systemic Change
I remain deeply committed to each individual client and caregiver we serve. But my vision has expanded: I want to see a Canada where accessible housing is not a luxury, but the norm—where universal design is embedded in new builds, where aging in place is truly viable, and where health professionals are equipped to assess and advocate for safe, inclusive environments.
Yes, there’s more work to do. But through Incluzia, I see the path forward—not only for my own practice, but for a collective shift in how we define health, home, and inclusion in Canada.
Let’s build that future—together.