Scholarship@Western

Lanteigne, Sarah A, Ms.

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
A Municipal Blind Spot: Representations of the Aging-Disability 
Intersection in Policy 
Sarah A. Lanteigne Ms. 
Western University, slantei@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Lanteigne, Sarah A. Ms., "A Municipal Blind Spot: Representations of the Aging-Disability Intersection in 
Policy" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity. 853. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/853 
Inspiring Minds Submission 
A Municipal Blind Spot: Representations of the Aging-Disability Intersection in Policy 
Although aging and disability policies have been heavily explored, their intersection in 
policy discourse lacks attention despite an aging population, increasing rates of disability, 
and compounded needs. Knowing the political pull policy has on resource allocation and 
community level program development, I opted to explore how those at the aging-disability 
intersection are represented in municipal policy relevant to age-friendly city priorities. My 
work will use a combined critical gerontological and disability lens to explore 
problematizations in political discourse by considering what is said, how it is said, and 
what those choices reveal about underlying power structures. By doing so, this work will 
contribute to the aging-disability intersection which currently lacks depth; help to inform 
policy revisions aimed at satisfying diverse needs; and act as a knowledge basis for my 
future PhD work with individuals aging with or into disability. 
Wordcount: 139  


A Municipal Blind Spot: Representations of the Aging-Disability Intersection in Policy

Jiang, Ran

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Accessibility by Design: Musical Instruments in Student Hands 
Ran Jiang 
Don Wright Faculty of Music, Western University, rjiang53@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Jiang, Ran, "Accessibility by Design: Musical Instruments in Student Hands" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A 
Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 856. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/856 
Accessibility by Design: Musical Instruments in Student Hands 
Ran Jiang 
What happens when students become the designers of a more inclusive musical world? 
In my doctoral research, I work with secondary school students in China who use digital tools—
like coding platforms, digital audio workstation, and DIY electronics—to explore how musical 
instruments can be made more accessible. But this isn’t just about building instruments. It’s 
about building awareness. 
By engaging in hands-on projects that combine music, science, and technology, students begin to 
question: Who gets to make music? What barriers exist in music education—and how can we 
rethink them? 
This research doesn’t position the students as inventors for others, but as creators who develop 
their own sense of accessibility, empathy, and agency. Their musical experiments become a way 
to understand and shape a more inclusive future—a future that embraces accessibility in music, 
education, and our society. 


Accessibility by Design: Musical Instruments in Student Hands

Limani, Merita

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Do Women Win at Aging, or Just Live Longer? 
Merita Limani 
Western University, mlimani2@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Limani, Merita, "Do Women Win at Aging, or Just Live Longer?" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital 
Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 857. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/857 
Merita Limani, PhD 
Do Women Win at Aging, or Just Live Longer? 
What does it mean to age successfully, and does gender shape the answer? My research followed 
over 30,000 Canadian adults for a decade to explore this question. I found that women are slightly 
more likely than men to age successfully, but not in every way. Their strength lies in strong social 
connections and lower rates of chronic disease. Yet, women also face more disability and poorer 
mental health. These findings reveal that aging is not a one size fits all experience. Because men 
and women follow different paths to successful aging, we need strategies that recognize these 
differences. As Canada’s population grows older, this research calls for more gender-responsive 
health and aging policies that reflect the realities of both strength and struggle in later life. 
Keywords: 
Successful Aging, Gender differences, Life Course, Social Determinants of Health, Canadian 
Longitudinal Study on Aging, Canadian adults.  
 


Do Women Win at Aging, or Just Live Longer?

Sandhu, Gurleen K

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Family Caregiving of Disabled Children in Families from 
Collectivist Cultures 
Gurleen K. Sandhu 
Western University, GSANDH63@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Sandhu, Gurleen K., "Family Caregiving of Disabled Children in Families from Collectivist Cultures" (2025). 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 
688. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/688 
Family Caregiving of Disabled Children in Families from Collectivist Cultures 
 
In the religion of Sikhi, ‘Seva’ is a core value—it means to serve mankind whilst embodying 
selflessness, humility and love. This act of service is meant to bring physical and mental relief 
not only to the person receiving the service, but to the one providing it as well. My family and I 
had the privilege of embodying ‘Seva’ while caring for my older sister with cerebral palsy. In 
much of the caregiving literature, parents of disabled children are represented as having poorer 
mental health and physical health outcomes as a result of caregiving; likewise disabled children 
are conceptualized as being burdens on their families. However, this does not apply to all 
families. My research is focused on examining the perspectives and experiences of family 
caregivers from collectivist cultures who are caring for disabled children, interviewing any and 
all family members that identify as caregivers for the child.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Family Caregiving of Disabled Children in Families from Collectivist Cultures

Kaafarani, Rouba

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
A Structure's Trial by Wind: From Model to Helical Pile 
Performance 
Rouba Kaafarani 
Western University, rkaafara@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Kaafarani, Rouba, "A Structure's Trial by Wind: From Model to Helical Pile Performance" (2025). Inspiring 
Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 710. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/710 
A Structure's Trial by Wind: From Model to Helical Pile Performance 
As cities evolve, so must our infrastructure. Electric Vehicle Autonomous Parking (EVAP) are 
innovative vertical circulation systems that offer a brilliant, automated parking and charging 
solution for dense urban settings. Their safety however requires a new level of 
understanding, so our research probes their resilience by creating a seamless link from 
atmosphere to earth. 
It begins at the WindEEE facility, where scale models are tested to capture the complex wind 
forces acting on the structures. This then informs a detailed numerical model, which 
calculates the dynamic loads transferred through the structure and into its helical piles 
foundation. The crucial final step takes these load histories from simulation to reality: we 
apply them to full-scale piles on-site using an innovative pressure loading actuator, to assess 
their true performance. This holistic approach ensures the comprehensive design guidelines 
we ultimately propose are robust, reliable, and ready for the cities of tomorrow. 
 


A Structure\u27s Trial by Wind: From Model to Helical Pile Performance

Kazmierowski, Emma J

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Improving the accuracy of Automatic Speech Recognition models 
for Children’s Speech 
Emma J. Kazmierowski 
Western University, ekazmier@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Kazmierowski, Emma J., "Improving the accuracy of Automatic Speech Recognition models for Children’s 
Speech" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity. 713. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/713 
Emma Kazmierowski 
Improving the accuracy of Automatic Speech Recognition models for Children’s Speech 
Speech-Language Pathologists routinely analyze children’s speech to identify children 
struggling with speech and language to prioritize therapy goals. Collecting speech samples is 
the gold-standard, however, many SLPs are flooded with high numbers of clients and cannot 
practice the gold-standard due to session time constraints, collection difficulties and hours of 
analysis. Technology that can automatically transcribe and analyze children’s speech would 
alleviate this burden and have more effective and efficient results. One opportunity would be to 
develop Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) models that automatically transcribes children’s 
speech and identifies children’s errors. This device will help SLPs have more 1-on-1 time in 
speech rehabilitation, without sacrificing the gold-standard of speech sample collection. ASR 
accuracy is improving, but many models struggle with children’s speech (Bhardwaj et al. 2022). 
As a first step our research aims to develop new machine learning approaches to improve ASR 
technology for children’s speech. 
 


Improving the accuracy of Automatic Speech Recognition models for Children’s Speech

Tepe Demir, Zeynep Gunes

Prodger, Jessica

Troyer, Ryan

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
The Nose Knows: How Resident Nasal Microbes Shape Our Viral 
Fate 
Zeynep Gunes Tepe Demir 
The University of Western Ontario, ztepe@uwo.ca 
Jessica Prodger 
University of Western Ontario 
Ryan Troyer 
The University of Western Ontario, rtroyer@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Tepe Demir, Zeynep Gunes; Prodger, Jessica; and Troyer, Ryan, "The Nose Knows: How Resident Nasal 
Microbes Shape Our Viral Fate" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate 
Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 725. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/725 
With every breath, we inhale more than just air: we may also invite in viral intruders. The 
nose, our first line of defense, is not just a passive gateway but a battleground. Nestled 
within these nasal passages, there is a vibrant community of resident microbes, quietly 
shaping our response to infection. My research explores how these resident microbes 
influence our susceptibility to respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, RSV, and 
rhinoviruses. Some microbes act as guardians, priming our immune system for the battle, 
while others may leave us more exposed. By studying these host–microbe interactions in 
healthy nasal tissues, I aim to uncover why some people get sick more easily than others. 
This work could help us predict risk and design smarter prevention strategies. In a world 
still echoing with the impact of COVID-19, understanding this microscopic tug-of-war 
might be the key to staying healthier, one sniff at a time. 
 
Zeynep Gunes Tepe Demir 
 
 


The Nose Knows: How Resident Nasal Microbes Shape Our Viral Fate

Hanson, Beth

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Orchids at the Gym: Investigating Links Between Sensitive 
Personality and Perceptions of Physical Activity Environments 
Beth Hanson 
Western University, bhanso@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Hanson, Beth, "Orchids at the Gym: Investigating Links Between Sensitive Personality and Perceptions of 
Physical Activity Environments" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate 
Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 830. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/830 
Physical activity promotes physical and mental wellbeing, but participation drops once 
students enter university. Sensory Processing Sensitivity, or the personality trait of sensitivity, 
occurs at moderate-to-high levels in 70% of people and reflects a greater awareness of 
environments. Therefore, Sensory Processing Sensitivity may influence preferred physical 
activity environments and affect students’ physical activity-related self-efficacy, or confidence 
they can overcome environmental barriers to activity. 
This study examined relationships between Sensory Processing Sensitivity, preferences 
for physical activity environments, and physical activity self-efficacy among undergraduate 
students. A survey measuring sensitivity, preferred physical activity environments, and self-
efficacy was completed by 425 full-time Ontario undergraduates. More sensitive personalities 
were statistically linked to lower self-efficacy, reduced preferences for competitive 
environments, and increased preferences for activities in quiet, low-cost, structured, scheduled, 
flexible-difficulty, and at-home environments, as well as environments not just about exercise. 
These results can help when designing active university environments for students of all 
personalities. 
 


Orchids at the Gym: Investigating Links Between Sensitive Personality and Perceptions of Physical Activity Environments

Golding, Emily

Cunningham, B J

Holmes, Jeffrey

Page, Allyson D

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Shifting the Lens: Using Patient Reported Outcome Measures in 
Adults With Acquired Dysarthria 
Emily Golding 
Western University, egolding@uwo.ca 
B J. Cunningham 
Western University, bj.cunningham@uwo.ca 
Jeffrey Holmes 
Western University, jeff.holmes@uwo.ca 
Allyson D. Page 
Western University, allyson.page@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Golding, Emily; Cunningham, B J.; Holmes, Jeffrey; and Page, Allyson D., "Shifting the Lens: Using Patient 
Reported Outcome Measures in Adults With Acquired Dysarthria" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital 
Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. 838. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/838 
Imagine struggling to speak, not because you lack the words, but because your body won’t 
cooperate.  Patients with acquired dysarthria, a speech disorder affecting various aspects of 
speech production, severely affecting the intelligibility and/or naturalness of their speech are 
faced with this every day; yet historically, Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) that 
capture the patient’s perspective related to the impact of dysarthria, have been overlooked in 
exchange for objective health outcomes.  While the inception of the International Classification 
of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) conceptual framework in 2001 increased awareness 
regarding the value of patient perspective, a significant lack of understanding of how these 
psychosocial consequences are measured and how they are classified using relevant domains of 
the ICF remains.  A scoping review of PROMs will provide an updated inventory bank, analysis 
of uptake in literature, and gaps/limitations in these PROMs, making a real impact to the field. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Shifting the Lens: Using Patient Reported Outcome Measures in Adults With Acquired Dysarthria

Gadoni Giovanni Borges, Giuliana

Western University 
Scholarship@Western 
Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of 
Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship and 
Creative Activity 
Inspiring Minds 
September 2025 
Smiles Without Borders: What Makes it Difficult for Newcomers to 
See a Dentist? 
Giuliana Gadoni Giovanni Borges 
Western University, gborges2@uwo.ca 
Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds 
Citation of this paper: 
Gadoni Giovanni Borges, Giuliana, "Smiles Without Borders: What Makes it Difficult for Newcomers to See 
a Dentist?" (2025). Inspiring Minds – A Digital Collection of Western’s Graduate Research, Scholarship 
and Creative Activity. 850. 
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/850 
Smiles Without Borders: What Makes it Difficult for Newcomers to See a Dentist? 
 
Ever wondered why it might be harder for people who've just moved to Canada to get dental 
treatment? There are many challenges that refugees and immigrants face when trying to care 
for their oral health.  Things like money, not knowing the language, or just figuring out how 
healthcare works can get in the way, and that can lead to very serious mouth conditions. 
Currently, immigrants represent 30% of Ontario’s population, and Canada received over 
140,000 asylum claims in 2023.  
In my Master's thesis, I am applying the Community-Based Participatory Research approach, 
collaborating with newcomers in Southwestern Ontario to really understand what these 
barriers are. By hearing their stories and experiences, we can hopefully find better ways to 
facilitate their access to dental care and help everyone have a healthy smile. Understanding 
and addressing these barriers is important to promote equity in healthcare and improve the 
well-being of vulnerable populations. 


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