Partners for Change is a pilot initiative of the Transforming Autism Care Consortium (TACC) that fosters meaningful partnerships between researchers, neurodivergent individuals, and community organizations. By emphasizing collaboration across diverse sectors such as health, education, housing, and the arts, this initiative creates opportunities to address unmet needs and drive social innovation.
From 2021 to 2023, Partners for Change laid the groundwork for transforming research into tangible impact. Through funding calls in 2022 and 2023, we received 19 applications reviewed by intersectoral panels of experts, including autistic individuals and community partners. Over the two years, these projects engaged 24 researchers, 7 students, 25 partners, and 12 autistic individuals actively participating in research.
“Partners for Change aims to bridge the gap between research and real-world needs,” says Mélanie Couture, Co-Director of TACC.
“By prioritizing living and lived experience and community-led solutions, we’re ensuring that research outcomes improve quality of life for autistic individuals, people with related neurodevelopmental conditions, and their families.”
Funded Projects: Innovation in Action
The pilot funded several projects that reflect the breadth of its vision:
Equitable Healthcare for Autistic People
Myriam Beauchamp, Julie Scorah, Jonathan Lai
This project investigates the healthcare disparities faced by autistic individuals who are minority-language speakers, aiming to improve their access to equitable healthcare services across Canada.
Appreciating Concerts Through Diverse Lenses
Mélanie Moura, Eve-Marie Quintin, Cassiea Sim
A collaboration between the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) and McGill’s BAND Research Group to evaluate and enhance the concert experience for neurodivergent audiences by assessing the accessibility and inclusivity of traditional and inclusive concerts.
Passions and Employment for Autistic Individuals
Ève-Line Bussières, Isabelle Soulières, Béatrice Cuzzi
This project explores the relationship between passions and employment for autistic individuals, aiming to improve employment outcomes by leveraging interests and passions to facilitate the transition from education to the workforce.
Supporting Housing and Planning Initiatives for Autistic Adults
Isabelle Courcy, Xavier-Henri Hervé
This initiative addresses the lack of housing options for autistic adults, producing knowledge translation materials to help better understand and meet the diverse housing needs of autistic individuals in Quebec.
Militer malgré nous
Marie Grandisson, Nina Thomas
This participatory research project documents the challenges faced by neurodivergent youth and their families in high school, aiming to amplify their voices and foster more inclusive educational environments.
Feeling Good at Home!
Virginie Lasalle, Sarah Huxley, Anne-Marie Nader, Jean-Pierre Chupin, Marie-Claude Leblanc
This project focuses on adapting living environments to meet the specific needs of autistic adults, using surveys and feedback from autistic individuals to develop tools for creating more inclusive living spaces.
Knowledge Mobilization Events
Partners for Change also connected researchers and community members through events like:
La neuroinclusion en milieu de travail (2023): Co-hosted with Société Inclusive, this webinar attracted 180 attendees to discuss workplace inclusion for neurodivergent individuals.
Creating Inclusive Spaces (2024): An in-person event with 110 participants explored how the built environment can support autistic individuals.
“Through these projects and events, we’re seeing the power of partnership in action,” says Martine Habra, Partnerships and Knowledge Mobilization Lead at TACC. “It’s about creating solutions that are informed by and for the community.”
The Future of Partners for Change
Building on its success, Partners for Change will continue to grow, bringing together researchers, individuals with living and lived experience, and community leaders to co-create solutions that improve lives.