Supporting Disclosure and Addressing Burnout – Work Wellness Institute Conference Series

Vanessa Tomas, M.Sc., is a fourth year Ph.D. Candidate in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute and Collaborative Program in Neuroscience at the University of Toronto. She is conducting her Ph.D. research at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, in Toronto, Ontario, working under the supervision of Dr. Sally Lindsay in TRAIL (TRansitions And Inclusive environments Lab). She is a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council funded doctoral student. For Vanessa’s doctoral thesis, she has been working to explore, together with youth on the autism spectrum, experiences and related needs surrounding the complex disability disclosure process and requests for workplace accommodations to create a tangible decision-aid tool. Vanessa also actively engages as a research trainee with additional organizations such as CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research and Kids Brain Health Network to collaborate on and support a variety of initiatives and research projects.

Nicolette Gowan is a registered Occupational Therapist with experience working in mental health, accommodation, ergonomics, stay at work and return to work planning in various industries. She is the President and CEO of a national health and disability management company offering support across Canada and now into the US. Over the more than 30 years, the organization has worked in partnership with employers, employees and unions to develop customized strategies that improve employee success, health and productivity. She has presented on topics spanning from ergonomics to mental health and inclusive accommodation to financial, health care, industrial and charitable organizations. Nicolette has been published in the Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapists (2020). She regularly offers webinars, blogs, and newsletters to a broad audience on disability management, health, and accommodation topics. Nicolette has a unique interest in mental health, psychotherapy and mindfulness techniques within Occupational therapy practice and facilitating stay-at-work for persons with disabilities.