Dr. Mahadeo Sukhai is an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Business and Information Technology at Ontario Tech, and has active research collaborations with several faculty members at the University. Mahadeo is a member of the Trustworthy AI Lab and also a member of the Assistive Technology cluster of the Digital Life Institute at Ontario Tech.

Mahadeo is the world’s first congenitally blind geneticist. Currently the Chief Operating Officer of IDEA-STEM, an organization dedicated to improving the accessibility of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and healthcare education, research, training and work, Mahadeo has more than 20 years’ experience as an accessibility and inclusion professional, and as a researcher within this space, as well as more than 25 years’ experience as a scientist, researcher and educator in the medical sciences and healthcare related disciplines. Dr. Sukhai is a leading expert on accessibility of postsecondary education and employment for persons with disabilities.

Dr. Sukhai is one of the originators of the discipline of and discourse on accessibility and inclusion in the sciences and in healthcare. He is the Chair of the Employment Technical Committee for Accessibility Standards Canada, tasked with developing accessible employment standards; as well as, the External Co-Chair of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Expert Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Systemic Ableism. Mahadeo also serves on the Boards for Health Data Research Network Canada and the Institute of Neurodiversity Canada, and is a member of the steering committee for Disability and Work in Canada. Mahadeo coaches and consults on accessibility and inclusion strategy, on inclusive leadership practice, and on conducting scientific research in accessible and inclusive ways.