Our Students

Natasha Deoni is a master’s Student in the Critical Disablity Studies Program at York University. She competed her bachelor’s degree at Toronto Metropolitan University majoring in Disability Studies. She wrote an undergrad thesis where she situated her lived experience as a sober disabled woman moving to a small town and re-established her body/mind identity through nature. She used the method of deep map to learn about the social, political, historical and accessibility policy of her small town. Natasha, graduated from Humber college with a diploma in Community and Justice services. Also, graduated from Sheridan College with a diploma in educational support. She works part time as an educational assistant supporting disabled students.

She completed her Major Research Paper for her Masters focusing on the implications of the representations of disabled womanhood in Disney animated films. Using an interdisciplinary framework to deconstruct the progression of early, middle, and contemporary films of the

of the Princess and the Villains. Natasha is wanting to apply for her PhD where she can further her research in disability representation in films and media.

Research Interests: Representation of disabled women in films, television, and media. The history of the representation of disability in the 19th and early 20th century. Zoning bylaws and the exclusion of certain bodies. Feminist Disability Studies.

Supervisor: Geoffrey Reaume

Scott White is a Ph.D. candidate in the Critical Disability Studies program at York University. He has a Baccalaureate & Master of Education degree from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, and a Baccalaureate in Disability Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University. He has an interdisciplinary grounding in human rights, social policy and critical theory, informed by sociology, psychology and social justice education.

Scott has practiced counselling and family supports as a Clinical Manager with Cota Health, as a Team Lead with Neighbourhood Link, as a Street Outreach Worker with LOFT and with Covenant House in shelter services. He worked on the research team with the AIDS Committee of Toronto and is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces.

He has fifteen years of progressive volunteer experience in various roles with the Ontario March of Dimes, the United Way of Toronto, AccessTO, Historica Canada and on the Family and Policy Advisory Group with Veteran’s Affairs Canada.

As a graduate student, his research focuses on disability employment, accessibility barriers and career advancement.

Research Interests: Employment, Accessibility Barriers, Social Policy, Human Rights

Supervisor: Geoffrey Reaume