Dr. Heather Aldersey
Dr. Heather Aldersey
Position(s)
Associate Professor (Queen's National Scholar)
Canada Research Chair (Tier 2 ), Disability Inclusive Development
Scientific Director, International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation (ICACBR)
Contact Information
Louise D. Acton building, Room 228
Internal telephone extension: 36088
External telephone: 613-533-6088

Research:

Dr. Aldersey's research program aims to promote the full inclusion of people with disabilities globally, with a particular focus in low- and middle-income countries. She works towards achieving this aim by examining support structures for people with disabilities and their families, evaluating the processes and outcomes of implementing community based rehabilitation programs, and translating findings to inform disability policy and practice. Dr. Aldersey's scholarship is to draws upon local strengths and capabilities and seeks to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families globally.


The International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation (ICACBR)

Teaching:

Areas of teaching expertise include international community-based rehabilitation, qualitative methods, and family support.
 

Currently accepting PhD and post-doctoral scholars in the following areas of research:

  • International community-based rehabilitation
  • International disability policy
  • Family support in disability
  • Community-based supports in disability
  • Family-professional partnerships in disability

Selected Publications:

Jansen van Vuuren, J., Lysaght, R., Batorowicz, B., Dauwd, S., & Aldersey, H.M. (2021). Family quality of life and support: Perceptions of family members of children with disabilities in Ethiopia. Disabilities 1(3), 233-256.

Francis, G.L., Jansen-van Vuuren, J., Gaurav, N., Aldersey, H.M., Gabison, S. & Davison, C.M. (2021). Family-school collaboration for students with disabilities in Ontario, Canada. Network for International Policies and Cooperation in Education and Training NORRAG, 6, 48-52.

McKenzie, J., Shanda, N., Aldersey, H.M. (2021). Family-teacher partnership: Parents’ and teachers’ experiences of working together to support learners with disabilities in South Africa. British Journal of Special Education, 48(1), 26-49.

Aldersey, H.M., Nega, A., Tesfamichael, H., Lotoski, N. (2020). Support needs of families who have children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. African Journal of Disability 9 (a735).

McKenzie, J., Kahonde, C., Mostert, K., & Aldersey, H.M. (2020). Community Participation of Families with Children with Severe to Profound Intellectual Disabilities in Cape Town, South Africa. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities 34, 525-536.

Nuri, R.P., Batorowicz, B., & Aldersey, H.M. (2020). Family supports and family and child related outcomes among families affected by disability in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review. Journal of Child Health Care 24(4), 637-654.

Aldersey, H.M., Abera, M., Mzinganjira, A.A., Abebe, S.M., & Demissie, S.F. (2019). The University of Gondar, Queen’s University, and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program partnership for disability-inclusive higher education in Ethiopia. Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement, 12 (2), 1-18.

Aldersey, H.M., Kavira, S., Kiasimbwa, J., Lokako, W., Miaka, P., Monte, L. (2018). Stigma experienced by parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Intervention, 16(2), 119-128.