91ĹÝÜ˝

On June 9th, SWAN Project Coordinator Letitia Zhu and Research Assistant Jean Paul Ramírez Echavarría participated in the MAP National Meeting, Rencontre Nationale, held in beautiful Québec City. The event took place at Parc de la Pointe-aux-Lièvres and brought together researchers, community partners, and stakeholders invested in issues of

This eight-hour kickoff marked the start of a three-day seminar and workshop series, celebrating the achievements of the MAP team and showcasing the diverse research initiatives aimed at designing more inclusive, accessible, and age-friendly cities across Canada.

The Inclusive Environments Lab was proud to take part in Inclufest on the event’s opening day. Our team showcased the Stakeholders’ Walkability/Wheelability Audit in Neighbourhoods (SWAN), highlighting the audit tool, our knowledge mobilization efforts, our latest Digital Gallery and published research. We also screened four powerful videos from our On the Move video series featuring project participants who shared their lived experiences and perspectives on making communities more accessible and inclusive for older adults. The short documentaries emphasized the significance of staying connected to the community and being able to fully participating in everyday life. 

Students from Université Laval gathered around MAP-SWAN Station

One of the event’s highlights was the inspirational opening seminar, S’adapter ou survivre (Adapt or Survive), by Jimmy Pelletier. Jimmy shared his story of resilience following a life-changing car accident in 1996 that left him paraplegic at the age of 19. Despite his mobility impairment, Jimmy has achieved incredible milestones—including becoming a Paralympic athlete and the second person in the world to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro using a mountain handbike. You can learn more about Jimmy’s journey and support his dream of completing a world tour at .

After a sunny, picnic-style lunch, participants explored a wide array of interactive kiosks representing various projects under the MAP Research Partnership. These initiatives work in collaboration with community organizations and municipalities to address local, community-driven questions—advancing research that helps shape more accessible and inclusive cities. The partnership spans institutions like 91ĹÝÜ˝, UniversitĂ© Laval, and UBC reflecting a truly national effort to address shared challenges in accessibility across Canada.

Representing Vancouver, the SWAN team—led by Dr. Atiya Mahmood—also presented the “On the Move” Game, a role-playing board game co-designed with our older adult co-researchers. Designed as a knowledge mobilization tool, the game puts players in the shoes of individuals with mobility or cognitive impairments, challenging them to navigate barriers and facilitators within a cityscape. Think Snakes and Ladders, but with a purpose! Played in English, French, and sometimes Frenglish, the game was a hit. Participants recognized its value in raising awareness about mobility challenges, while also discovering strategies and support systems that promote inclusion and participation.

It was a day full of learning, connection, and celebration of community-driven research. Events like this are a reminder that when environments are designed with inclusivity in mind, everyone—regardless of age or ability—can be an active citizen and agent of change in their communities.

Our researchers left the event energized and inspired, bringing back valuable insights from the sessions and discussions. From practical strategies for inclusive urban design to reflections on co-creation with communities, their takeaways highlight the importance of listening, learning, and working alongside those most impacted. Here's what they had to say: