MANDATE
To address anti-Black racism within the rehabilitation sector, promote cultural humility and responsiveness, and advocate for equality and inclusion of Black clients and rehabilitation providers.
OBJECTIVES
Offer choice to support the diverse needs of clients and remove barriers to recovery
Promote equality through increased awareness and understanding
Inform and influence Diversity & Inclusion best practice
Challenge and disrupt discrimination within the sector
Facilitate and support networking and business development
ABOUT US: THE WORKING GROUP
The Black Network (BN) Working Group is the catalyst shaping and growing the ORABN.
We are….
Sade Akande-Jones is an Occupational Therapist with 17 years of experience currently working in private practice. Sade has worked across the healthcare continuum and age ranges. Her practice is focused on individuals with traumatic brain injuries, neurological conditions, complex orthopedic injuries, chronic pain and mental conditions. She also provides supervision and support to new hires and graduates in the MVA field. Sade is actively involved in the education of student Occupational Therapists at the University of Toronto supporting the Fieldwork and Mentorship courses. In addition to her involvement with the ORA Black Network, Sade is also a member of the Black OTs of Ontario leadership team.
Lindis Collins-Bacchus is a Trinidad born, British trained private physiotherapist, with 37 years experience working initially in the UK, and in Canada since 1988. Her practice focus is working with neurologically challenged and complex injury clients in Toronto and the GTA. She is a Master Bobath clinician and a strong collaborative therapist. Lindis has a longstanding commitment to volunteering in the Black community and volunteers in Toronto with the African Canadian Heritage Association and the Yensomu Adult African Rites of Passage program. She is affiliated with multiple community groups in Toronto, Canada, the USA, the Caribbean, Ghana and in the UK and is a member of the Black Physiotherapists Association in Toronto. In 2019 Lindis received an award as one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in 2019.
Maxine Fyffe-Roberts is a Registered Clinical Social Worker and founder of Essentially You Inc – which provides Social Work and Attendant Care/PSW services to clients across Ontario. She has over 28 years of Social Work, Senior Social Services Management, Case Management and business leadership experience. Maxine has worked across the spectrum of health care. She holds an MSW and is also a Certified Social Work Practice Teacher. Maxine has been an ORA Board member since 2018 and has played an instrumental role in the ORA Advocacy with government, and more recently as catalyst for our Black Network. She is a marathon runner (including 2 x Boston finisher), and is also involved in fundraising runs in support of brain injury community organizations.
Nakema Walker is Service Director, Toronto and Peel, Bartimaeus Rehabilitation Services, Inc.Prior to this role she was an RSW for 7 years. Her major is in mental health, with minors in Criminal Justice, as well as drug and alcohol abuse counselling. She also worked with individuals with mental health issues and special needs, and with male young offenders in custody. She is a member in good standing with the Vocational Rehabilitation Association of Canada (VRA). She is passionate about racial equity, and enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, giving presentations about black history.
READ, WATCH, TALK, LISTEN & LEARN
An introductory book study on the book “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo was held in September and October 2021. This opened up the opportunity to create a more robust response to addressing issues of race in health care.
The Black Network has curated a list of Resources that are available and valuable to anyone who is interested in exploring the issues faced by Black people both in the health care system and in other aspects of life and society.
Black Network Recommended Resources
We also have past Webinars showing the conversations that lead to the creation of the ORA Black Network:
(Links open in a new tab so you can listen while you browse. All video links are stored safely in the ORA Google environment.)
November 18, 2020 – Focusing the Intake Lens: What are we missing if our process is ‘colour blind’?
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TVZV8C0kqffBu1GfECTsssYhWJarfYRh/view?usp=sharing
February 24, 2021 –Recognizing Racial Disparities in Rehab: Patients & Providers
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xUNqV3ZaiGHGSIawWfgKtmtFXX689FMe/view?usp=sharing
June 16, 2021- Rolling Out the Red Carpet: Launch of the ORA Black Network
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17EuMYpLpamgq6N_CoS_uB9afKv5jFvDz/view?usp=sharing
August 31, 2022 – Presentation to the Brain Injury Canada conference – Implicit Bias – Recognize, Challenge, Interrupt
Video: https://youtu.be/8IuiOmt7RRs
October 27, 2022 – LAUNCH NIGHT – Now & Then: Exploring the 400 Year Narrative of the North American Black Experience
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cxd3DZgd3-2TLJmoCO-9VgWlEIRsy484/view?usp=sharing
BLACK LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH CARE RESOURCES
GoMedics Health – Transportation Services
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GoMedics-web slide show |
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Research Council for People of African Descent (RCPAD) slide show |
The ORABN supports the development of the Blackhurst Community Centre, please consider supporting this important project.
GET IN TOUCH
To find out more or get involved in the Black Network:
Email [email protected]
GRATITUDE
We are so grateful to ally Jim Vigmond of Oatley Vigmond LLP for his generous donation of seed money to support the launch of the Black Network and future ORA Anti-Racism initiatives.