Michael Bach
Managing Director
For over 25 years, Michael Bach (he/him) has undertaken research and development in Canada and internationally on ways to advance the full inclusion and human rights of persons with disabilities. His research and publications cover disability theory, policy and practice in a range of areas including education, employment, and funding and delivery of community-based services. Michael’s particular area of expertise is in legal capacity of people with intellectual disabilities.
Michael holds a Ph. D. in Sociology and Equity Studies from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, where his dissertation focused on developing a more inclusive theory of personhood on which to challenge the usual equation between intellectual disability and legal incapacity. Michael is currently an Open Society Foundations Fellow, continuing his international comparative research on the right to legal capacity for people with significant intellectual and cognitive disabilities.
Doris Rajan
Director of Social Development
Doris Rajan (she/her) has worked for 15 years as a senior consultant in the non-profit sector, with a focus on violence against women, access to justice, the experience of racialization, refugee, immigrant and indigenous issues and disability justice. In her work, Doris has designed numerous international, national, and regional community-based social development and applied research projects, and has authored a number of community-designed training resources. Doris has a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a specialization in Social Policy and Research.
She holds a PhD in Adult Education and Community Development at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, where her research involved the development of a curriculum framework for a critical feminist/anti-oppression pedagogy of solidarity that would unify women labeled with “mental” disabilities, indigenous and migrant women to challenge structural violence. Doris is also a professional actress, playwright, screenwriter, producer and filmmaker. In 2015, Doris wrote the play A Tender Path, which explores historical trauma, violence and torture related to the experiences of indigenous peoples, refugees, individuals with intellectual disabilities and the Trans community. A Tender Path was shown at the Truth, Reconciliation and Engagement Symposium in April 2015.
Colin Clark
Director of Design and Technology
Colin Clark has worked for over 25 years as a researcher, designer, and developer of community-led technologies. He is interested in how people without access to conventional technical expertise can create, govern, and sustain their own technologies. Colin’s approach to research and design emphasizes direct participation, where those who are most impacted are positioned as leaders and owners of the process and resulting outputs
He is currently the co-director of the CIFAR-funded Data Communities for Inclusion project, which focuses on grassroots governance of data and artificial intelligence systems. Colin has written critically about the design of programming systems, and has developed inclusive tools that enable ongoing creative authorship of software by its users. Recently, he directed the Weavly project, which develops an accessible programming environment for learners with complex disabilities. He also established the Community-Led Design Kit, which shares ways of designing in solidarity with communities. Since the 1990s, Colin has influenced the growth of inclusive design methods in Canada and developed accessible infrastructure, policy, and standards internationally. Colin holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art, Media and Design from OCAD University.
As a composer and video artist, Colin’s work has been screened and performed internationally. He currently improvises electronic music with Bitstance and develops open source software and hardware for making experimental intermedia art with technology, used by artists worldwide.
Erick Nettel
Manager of Online Services
Erick Nettel has more than 25-years of production experience working for television and film. Since 2011 he has been Managing Partner & Creative Producer at Nettel Media Inc. a video marketing company based in Burlington serving corporate clients and non-profit organizations.
Erick graduated with honours from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, one of the most prestigious private universities in the country. He obtained an honours bachelor’s Degree in Communications majoring in Filmmaking. After graduation, he developed parallel careers in the Mexican television and film industries. He received a scholarship from the International Council for Canadian Studies, which allowed him to attend the Film Production program at Vancouver Film School where he obtained a certificate of excellence.
In the Canadian television industry, he worked for more than a decade at Omni Television where he became Senior Producer for the Diversity Programming Department. In this role, Erick supervised different in-house language production units, as well as producers, reporters and production assistants. This experience allowed him to be selected as part of the Core Team that oversaw the planning, implementation and integration of production systems, new software and hardware for OMNI Television and Citytv under one roof at Dundas Square, as well as the training of all CityTv and Omni staff.
He also has worked as Producer, Director of Photography and Editor for different award winning independent documentaries including The R-Word, which looks at the challenges of people with intellectual disabilities across Canada, (Re)Inventing Destiny, which looked at the process of immigration and integration in Calgary’s Hispanic Community, and the “The Healing Portraits Project”, CEMA Award winner for Best TV Documentary, which explores the experience of refugees through the creation of a portrait.
Erick is a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Rotary Foundation and is a recipient of the Order of Niagara. In his free time Erick enjoys spending time with his daughter, listening to music, reading and playing the mandolin.
Logan Churchill
Senior Research & Project Coordinator
Logan (he/him) has worked on projects aimed at advancing solidarity as a researcher, curriculum developer, and project coordinator, with a focus on building solidarity from the margins in. He has contributed to anti-racism research and curriculum development for professional sports organizations, multiple departments within the Federal Government of Canada, and has led, facilitated, and moderated public collaborative spaces to discuss current events through an intersectional lens.
Logan also volunteers as a facilitator for the Equity Leaders B.O.O.K Club, targeted at curtailing gender-based violence through reconceptualizing masculinity among masc-identifying youth and adults, and as the director of Hullabloo, a monthly community arts event in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto.
As a member of IRIS, Logan brings his experience in facilitation, coordination, research, and understanding of anti-racism and critical feminist ways of operating within the professional context to advance solidarity. Logan holds a master of arts in Political Science, is a guitar builder, musician, hockey lover, purveyor of mediocre puns, and former archaeological field researcher.
Bianca Okine
Social Development & Projects Coordinator
Bianca (she/her) recently graduated with distinction from the University of Toronto Mississauga with an Honours Bachelor of Arts. Bianca completed a Specialist in Criminology, Law & Society and Minor in Political Science.
She is passionate about criminal justice issues, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion work, and always engages in social science research, community development and advocacy. She strives towards dismantling barriers to equity and creating a safer and inclusive society.
Bianca actively supports and contributes to frameworks that provide access to various equitable opportunities in society and institutions for all individuals regardless of their identity.
Alyssa Arniotis
Accessibility Experience Advisor
Alyssa (she/her) is a graduate of the University of Guelph, holding a Bachelor’s of Applied Science, majoring in Human Development. During her academic journey, she actively contributed to fostering inclusivity and support. Alyssa served as a note-taker for the University’s Accessibility Services. Additionally, she volunteered with high school students with disabilities, offering both emotional and educational support.
Since her academics, Alyssa has immersed herself in the non-profit and charity sectors, accumulating valuable experience and making a meaningful impact. Alyssa is bilingual, allowing her to communicate with the Francophone community.
Aside from her professional experience, Alyssa enjoys listening to music, taking care of houseplants, and maintaining an active lifestyle.
Pavel Koval
Research Support Officer
Pavel Koval applies a decade of experience in policy analysis and human rights advocacy to drive inclusion and social equity. His work spans Indigenous rights, climate change, and disability and inclusion. Fluent in multiple languages, Pavel has significantly contributed to policy development, notably Bill C-81, “The Accessible Canada Act.” His efforts in Canada and internationally reflect a commitment to fostering inclusive societies through strategic policy initiatives and collaborative partnerships.
Jordan Suzuki
Executive Administrator
Jordan (she/her) is a graduate of the University of Toronto with fields of study in Political Science & History. She maintains over 10 years experience working as an Executive Assistant in the corporate and non-for-profit sectors. She has worked abroad in both London and Paris.
Jordan strongly values the notion of inclusivity and human rights. She is eager to contribute to the organization and its ethos.
In her spare time Jordan enjoys travelling, interior decorating, art and cultural events and cooking.
