Research
Policy

Research

As thought leaders, we lead knowledge creation by bridging existing data and gaps in the newly emerging area of research at the intersection of Blackness, disability, and gender. Our research enriches Canadian research and policy by identifying structural barriers and systemic solutions to eradicating anti-Black racism, ableism, and gender-based discrimination.

Using critical frameworks, and an interdisciplinary, mixed-methods, community-based participatory research approach, we analyze and identify systemic, structural, organizational, and cultural gaps and disrupt the “normative” models of disability that often negate the lived experiences of Black people with disabilities.

Our work values the intersectional lived experiences of our community and embodies the UN principle of “For us, by us” by centring Black people with disabilities not only as participants but as lead researchers, partners, and changemakers.

Current Research Projects

Your voice is critical in all our work, including the development of data collection instruments, community engagement, data analysis, knowledge mobilization, and more.

We invite you to share your expertise and champion change by becoming a research participant (honoraria provided); project partner; or joining the team as a researcher or volunteer!

Flyer for the Black Neuroinclusive Youth Workforce Transition Model Development. It highlights the project purpose, objectives, target participants, participation details, honorarium amounts, and contact information. Includes illustrations of diverse neurodivergent youth and symbols representing workforce themes.
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Black Neuro-Inclusive Youth Workforce Study

This research project aims to design, evaluate, and implement a culturally-affirming Black Neuroinclusive Youth Workforce Transition model (16- 30 years) in Canada, to improve full-time career and employment outcomes.

A participatory, intersectionality-based approach centers the voices of Black neurodiverse youth and their unique experiences navigating the intersectionality of Anti-Black racism, ableism, and gender discrimination during workforce transitions and career growth.

Insights from community-based employment services, employers, and parents will also inform program design and advance inclusive policies and practices.

Flyer for the 'Every Child Belongs – Black Community Consultations' organized by the Ase Community Foundation and the City of Toronto. The consultations run from January 2025 to February 2026. It invites Black parents, guardians, and caregivers of Black children (ages 0–6) with extra needs to share their experiences. Participants can join focus groups or interviews (virtual or in-person) and receive a $100 honorarium. The flyer features a smiling Black child playing, a QR code to sign up, and contact details: research@asecommunityfoundation.com and www.asecommunityfoundation.com.
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Every Child Belongs

This community-based research project is designed to amplify the voices of Black families and educators within the City of Toronto ECE and EarlyOn childcare spaces, focusing on the experiences of parents navigating care and resources for their children (0-6 yrs) with extra needs or disabilities.

Black families with children with extra needs and Black educators within the City of Toronto childcare system ( 0-6 yrs old). We also encourage Black families with children with extra childcare needs, including children who have graduated from school or are no longer in a childcare program.

Our team of Black researchers and community animators, including two co-principal investigators with children with disabilities, proudly brings their experience to lead this critical study.

A group of Black teens are smiling and laughing in front of a park. Two Black women are standing up, one with both hands on the shoulders of a Black man who is seated. To the left of the people is a yellow banner where the title is displayed in bolded letters, with the date range underneath.
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Black Youth Diverse Learners Project

A community-based research project facilitated by Black youth peer researchers, capturing the experiences and systemic barriers faced by Black youth diverse learners in Halton-Hamilton.

Using a “For us, by us” approach, this project centers the lived experiences and voices of Black youth diverse learners (age 16-30) at the intersection of Blackness, disability, age, gender, 2SLGBTQ+, and other identities. These important insights will be captured through Photovoice analysis, 1-on-1 interviews, and focus groups.

We welcome Black youth diverse learners, parents/guardians, educators, and community organizations, disability-serving organizations in Hamilton-Halton ($50 honoraria provided).

Ase Community Foundation Carleton University UNTAPPED BLACK TALENT The background of the image is a black brick wall. At the top of the image, in the left and right corners respectively, are the Ase Community Foundation and Carleton University logos. In the middle of the image is the title, surrounded by gears and golden lines on either side. At the bottom of the image on the left is a man walking on a line graph vector projecting upward, and on the other side is a woman with locs with a lit lightbulb floating above her outstretched hand.
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Untapped Black Talent

Examining the Systemic Gaps, Structural Barriers, and Lived Experiences of Black Entrepreneurs with Disabilities.

As the first comprehensive research study of its kind in Canada, this 3-year community-based research project examines the systemic gaps, structural barriers, and the lived experiences of Black-disabled entrepreneurs and small business owners in Canada. This project is led by Black, disabled researchers in partnership with the Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub at Carleton University.

Year 1, the Ase Community is currently conducting a comprehensive literature review, leading a national environmental scan, and analyzing data and policies through the lens of Black disabled entrepreneurs.

At the top and bottom of the image are orange coloured bars. In a row at the top of the image, from left to right, are the University of Toronto Scarborough logo, the ASE Community Foundation logo, and the DAWN Canada logo. Underneath these three logos is a dotted line, which has the title of the study in large, bolded text underneath.
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Disability and Reproductive Health during COVID-19

The Ase Community’s research focused on capturing the unique lived experiences of Black women & gender-diverse people accessing reproductive and sexual health services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

This critical community-based research project is a collaboration between the University of Toronto Scarborough, the Ase Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities, SickKids Hospital, and DAWN Canada.

This Canada-wide project centers the voices of women and gender-diverse people with disabilities through 1-on-1 confidential interviews that will identify service and policy gaps to inform system-based solutions, resources, and culturally relevant approaches.

On the left side of the image is a Black man in a white dress shirt - he is talking on the phone in one hand, and in the other is holding a coffee cup while standing in front of an office building. On the left side of the image, at the top, are the Realize and ASE logos. Beneath this are the bolded title of the project as well as the expanded acronym. Workplaces REVAMPED Project REcognizing the VAlue of eMPloyees with Episodic Disabilities!
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Workplaces REVAMPED

The Ase Community’s research focused on capturing the unique lived experiences of Black people with episodic disabilities navigating employment and personal career advancement.

The Ase Community is a collaborator on REALIZE Canada’s Workplaces Recognizing the VAlue of eMPloyees with Episodic Disabilities (REVAMPED) project.

The Ase Community facilitated focus groups to capture the voices of Black people with episodic disabilities in the workplace to identify employment barriers, document success strategies and coping mechanisms, and build the capacity and knowledge of employers.

Published Research

At the top of the image there is the name of the Foundation, the title, and the subheading with the Ase logo next to them. Underneath is the description of the scan; under that is the list of initiatives included in your participation in the study. Underneath the list, there is a link to the Ase website and the Ase email to contact. Next to the contact information is a government of Canada symbol. To the right of the text is a collage made up of several diverse people with disabilities. Underneath the college is the date range.
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Capacity Building Research Project

The Capacity Building Research Project consisted of a Canada-wide community environmental scan and research project to identify organizations and programs supporting Black, racialized, ethno-cultural, refugee/immigrant persons with disabilities and to understand the needs and barriers faced by Black and racialized persons with disabilities.