The journey to work: Applying universal design from transit to the workplace
Overview
This talk explores how Universal Design (UD) can be applied to the journey to work, from getting to work, to being at work, to sustaining participation over time. Drawing on the Goals of UD, it examines how transportation and workplace environments can shape inclusion for a broad range of users. The presentation introduces key UD concepts and shares relevant research findings. It highlights how UD goes beyond accessibility compliance to support usability, well-being, and social inclusion across the work journey.
Speaker
Jimin Choi, PhD is Director of Research at the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access at the University at Buffalo. Her work focuses on advancing equity and inclusion for underrepresented populations, particularly people with disabilities, by improving mobility, health, and well-being through research on transportation accessibility, the built environment, and usability. She worked with Jordana Maisel on the HUB4 project, contributing to web-based assessment tools and workplace interviews on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. Jimin Choi holds a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University at Buffalo.
Host
Ansha Nega Ahmed is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Queen’s University, working under the supervision of Dr. Dan Samosh and supporting Inclusive Design for Employment Access’s Incubator Hub on Transitions to Work and Career Development. Her research focuses on disability inclusive mentorship to support the transition to work and career advancement of persons with disabilities.
Nega Ahmed is a passionate researcher, educator, and systems thinker with a background in occupational health and rehabilitation science, and extensive experience in disability inclusive development initiatives. Her research interests are at the intersection of work and health, including long term work trajectories, return to work experiences, and health outcomes of injured workers. She is particularly interested in promoting a holistic and connected approach across healthcare and employment systems to better support injured workers and improve health and employment outcomes.
About the IDEA Early Career Researcher Talks
The IDEA Early Career Researcher Talks serve as a dynamic forum for students, postdoctoral scholars, and early career researchers to exchange knowledge, build community, and showcase their emerging research in workplace disability inclusion. The monthly talks bring together members of research and practice communities, including students, researchers, persons with lived experience, policymakers, subject matter experts, and employers. The series’ primary purpose is to provide a supportive space for early career scholars to share their work at any stage and develop their research programs.
