Board of Directors

Aziz Bootwala, Architect
RAIC Representative

As an architect, Aziz possesses a deep understanding and great respect for ensuring that the built environment is accessible to everyone, along with extensive experience in helping communities achieve their universal design goals. With international experience in the USA, India, the Middle East (including Dubai, UAE, and Doha, Qatar), and Canada, Aziz brings a global perspective and influence to promoting accessibility through Universal Design.

Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd. is deeply committed to "Empathy-based Design," which embraces universal design principles. Going beyond evidence-based design, empathy-based design involves immersing oneself in understanding individual needs and developing design solutions to address those needs effectively. Aziz focuses on Senior Living and other market sectors, integrating universal design into the core of design thinking rather than treating it as an afterthought. This approach prioritizes how residents and users perceive buildings, regardless of age, size, or ability, driving value and satisfaction in Kasian's design process.

Recently, Aziz volunteered with the Aga Khan Council for Canada to evaluate their places of worship and recommend design modifications for improved accessibility. Collaborating with Occupational Therapists and conducting interviews with individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying health challenges, Aziz gained insights into innovative, cost-effective design solutions aligned with the seven principles of Universal Design to enhance universal accessibility in the built environment.

Marnie Courage, O.T. Reg. (MB)
Accessibility and Inclusion Strategist

Marnie is an accessibility educator, consultant and collaborator who is advancing national accessibility standards, research and policy development.

Marnie believes Universal Design provides a foundation for ensuring the built environment can respond to the diverse needs of people with disabilities, allowing for adaptations and innovations that address changing needs, throughout a lifespan.

Marnie specializes in Accessible Housing, Home Modifications, Aging in Place and is the Founder of Incluzia, Canada's Accessibility Collaborative.

Jason Dalton is a white man with short light brown hair standing in front of a wall and wearing a light blue shirt with collar.

Jason Dalton Dip. Eng., M.Cl.Sc.O.T., OT(R) NL
Occupational Therapist

Jason is owner of Dalton Occupational Therapy Services and specializing in the domain of human performance and inclusion in workplace and home domains.

Jason believes adoption of Universal Design principles in the design process can lead to improved health, performance, and participation of citizens. Jason is passionate with human centred and inclusion based design and believes universal design provides a "road map" to achieve this outcome.

Jason is President of the UDNC in an effort to promote Universal Design principles, goals, and processes for a more inclusive and sustainable design outcome. Jason's business website can be found below:

Ramesh Gulatee

Ramesh is a seasoned architect with a practice focus on integration of sustainable and accessible designs into the built environment.

Recognizing the accessibility initiatives ACA & ADA, Ramesh sponsored the resolution “Universal Design” at AIA’08 convention/Boston. He continues to advocate for accessibility for all with the professional/regulatory bodies in Canada and the USA.

As a practicing architect, Ramesh represents an accessibility organization to facilitate life planning solutions i.e., financial, educational, healthcare, transportation, residential and more.

To learn more, please visit.

http://www.lifecaredesignstudio.com

http://www.protectedtomorrows.com

Alicia Jarvis

Alicia is a Senior Product Manager at Bell. She solves problems at the intersection where business goals, human needs, & technology meet. Following the War Amps philosophy of “amputees helping amputees,” as well as, taking a human-centered and research-informed approach, her background allows her to see products as experiences and treat them as such. She has more than 13 years of professional experience contributing to all stages of the product and design life cycles — from running discovery research to leading international programs. She has a proven passion for developing innovative solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of human needs. To learn more about Alicia please visit her website: Home - Alicia.Design

Lynn Shaw is a white woman with short brown hair wearing glasses, a scarf and blue top, standing in front of a window that shows a brick wall.

Lynn Shaw PhD, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Dr. Lynn Shaw is a Professor and Director of the School of Occupational Therapy at Western University. As an occupational scientist Dr. Shaw’s research is focused on organizations and workplaces to address work mobility, worker transitions, work disparities, work disruptions and structural/systemic inequities needed to create opportunities for Decent Work, social inclusion, and workplace health and well-being. Key areas of Dr. Shaw’s leadership are in developing health/education organization transformations in interprofessional academic collaboratives in primary care including Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Family Medicine. In addition, Dr. Shaw is interested in Universal Design in Canada, ergonomics, health and safety, and work rehabilitation to support those workers succeed at work and return to work.