Researchers at the University of Toronto, DAWN Canada, and ASE Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities are doing a study about disability and reproductive health during COVID-19 in Canada
Please note: the Disability and Reproductive Health during COVID-19 study is officially closed. We will no longer be enrolling participants.
Am I eligible to participate?
You may be able to be part of this study if:
- You identify or may be identified as having a disability*
- You identify as a woman, trans, or non-binary*
- You are 18 years or older
- You live and receive health care services in Canada
What do I have to do?
You will be asked to tell us about your experiences getting reproductive health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reproductive health care includes contraception, abortion care, sexually transmitted infection testing and care, cervical cancer screening, support related to experiences of violence, pregnancy and postpartum health care, and health care for your young children (if applicable). There are two ways you can participate.
You can do a survey:
You will be asked to tell us about changes related to your reproductive health and and reproductive health care services, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey will take 20 minutes and can be done by you online, or by telephone or secure video chat (Zoom) with a researcher at a time that works for you. If you need any supports or accommodations to participate, these will be provided. You will get a $15 gift card to thank you for your time.
You can also do an interview:
You will be asked to tell us what made it harder or easier to get reproductive health care services during COVID-19, how these experiences impacted you, and what you think should change about reproductive health care for disabled people. The interview will take 1 hour and will be done by telephone or secure video chat (Zoom) with a researcher at a time that works for you. If you need any supports or accommodations to participate, these will be provided. You will get a $40 gift card to thank you for your time.
What are the benefits of participating?
What you share about your reproductive health experiences during COVID-19 will help us make services better for other people with disabilities during and beyond the pandemic. You can do the study, or not do the study. The choice you make will not impact any of the services you use now or later.
I am interested! Who do I contact?
Please contact the Study Coordinator: Email wiresearch.utsc@utoronto.ca, call 647-601-4519, or fill out the confidential intake form and the Study Coordinator will get back to you with details about your participation.
* In this study “disability” comprises a range of disabilities, including those who self-identify as disabled and/or d/Deaf. This definition is inclusive of those who have yet to receive an official diagnosis. We have chosen to be as inclusive as possible, consistent with our commitment to include those with disabilities who remain invisible and uncounted. This study is inclusive of women, trans, and non-binary people.
“reproductive health” includes any experiences related to gender and sexuality for women, trans, and non-binary people across the life course. For example, menstrual health, gynecological health, contraception, abortion, sexually transmitted infections, cervical and breast cancer screenings, menopause, gender-based violence, fertility and pregnancy-related health, health of young children, and trans health.
This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board [#42194]. This study is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
