Join us on Wednesday, October 21 from 11:00-12:00 pm (MST) to lean more!
Dr. Alison Novak is a Senior Scientist at the KITE Research Institute, University Health Network, an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, and Graduate Coordinator with the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto. Her research program examines barriers and facilitators to safe movement for older adults and people with disabilities in complex environments. Using both laboratory, biomechanical evaluations, and qualitative methodologies, she investigates how aging and environmental factors influence safe, barrier-free access, with the goal of reducing fall risk and supporting aging-in-place.
Dr. Novak also contributes to national policy and standards development, serving as Vice-Chair of the Outdoor Spaces Technical Committee with Accessibility Standards Canada, and as a member of the Canadian Standards Association’s B651 Committee on accessibility in the built environment.
This presentation will highlight current research led by Alison Novak at the KITE Research Institute-UHN, focused on understanding how environmental design can support safe mobility, accessibility, and fall prevention across complex home and community settings.
Drawing on both laboratory-based studies and qualitative research methods, the talk will explore emerging findings related to bathroom environments and aging in place, including how biomechanical, sensory, and environmental factors contribute to bathing safety and independence among older adults.
The presentation will also discuss ongoing work examining pedestrian spaces and public environments, with a focus on identifying design features that influence mobility, accessibility, and fall risk. Attendees will gain insight into evidence-informed recommendations that are emerging from this research and their implications for creating safer, more inclusive environments.
