## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/index%2Ephp/) 2. [News and Stories](/index%2Ephp/news) 3. [Professor Maya Desai to Speak at Two Engagements](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/3191) March 13, 2025 # Professor Maya Desai to Speak at Two Engagements ![Maya Desai - Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2025-03/Maya%20Headshot.jpg.webp?itok=J-LhJFEM) Maya Desai - Chair Environmental Design - OCAD University **1. APN2025: Building for People** ([https://rhf.my.site.com/AccessibilityProfessionalNetwork/s/lt-event?id=a32N3000000yM45IAE#/About](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frhf.my.site.com%2FAccessibilityProfessionalNetwork%2Fs%2Flt-event%3Fid%3Da32N3000000yM45IAE%23%2FAbout&data=05%7C02%7Czgulamhusein%40ocadu.ca%7Cd18399bf8cdc4b5fec3b08dd6192c524%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C638774005174889555%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=9q5v9Qysg%2FZuiYGDD4%2BHct3W96I0peWnbPvI%2FiveDcc%3D&reserved=0)) APN2025: Building for People, the 5th Annual Conference of the Accessibility Professional Network, taking place March 27–28, 2025, at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This large scale event convenes industry leaders, accessibility professionals, and global thought leaders to explore strategies for building a more inclusive and accessible world for people of all ages and abilities. The conference attracts delegates from across North America, both in-person and virtually. Maya has been invited to speak as part of the "Accessible Communities" session and panel discussion on the morning of March 27, where she will discuss the intersection of accessibility, community health, and urban design through a disability-centered lens, exploring social determinants of health, global case studies, student-driven innovations, and the need for representation, ultimately advocating for a shift from compliance-based accessibility to inclusive, equitable, and innovative urban planning. **2. Arch-ENGage, University of Toronto)** ([https://www.civ.skule.ca/2025/03/register-for-this-years-alumni-panel-arch-engage/](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.civ.skule.ca%2F2025%2F03%2Fregister-for-this-years-alumni-panel-arch-engage%2F&data=05%7C02%7Czgulamhusein%40ocadu.ca%7Cd18399bf8cdc4b5fec3b08dd6192c524%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C638774005174919181%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2F56Mm1IIQOTn9VNkYcrNAj3duhPjNfreBYY2YdAUM3g%3D&reserved=0)) Arch-ENGage is a highly meaningful event organized by the Civil Engineering Student Group at UofT in partnership with the Future Living Lab. This panel discussion features a select group of professionals sharing insights into their unique academic and professional journeys and how they have applied their backgrounds in science, engineering, and architecture to diverse career paths. The event is designed to inspire and guide students as they explore opportunities beyond traditional career trajectories. Both opportunities present a platform to contribute valuable insights to important conversations in health/accessibility, inclusive design, and interdisciplinary career pathways. ## Other Recent News [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. November 6, 2026 ](/news/2026-27-call-funding-proposals-student-groups-support-creative-entrepreneurship-campus) [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### Steps Forward Celebrates Student Creativity and OCAD U's 150-Year Legacy A new series of student-created murals transforms the iconic Yellow Staircase in celebration of the university's 150th anniversary. September 18, 2026 ](/news/steps-forward-celebrates-student-creativity-and-ocad-us-150-year-legacy) [### Faculty of Design Used Book Sale Faculty of Design’s Used Book Sale offered students affordable access to donated art and design books. Date/Time: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 10am – 6pm Location: 100 McCaul St. - OCAD University, Lobby, Ground Floor September 2, 2026 ](/news/faculty-design-used-book-sale) [### Assistant Professor Parantap Bhatt Incorporates AI in his Teaching Methods With more students experimenting with AI tools and integrating AI into their workflows, OCAD U faculty members are incorporating these tools into studio and classroom settings. April 14, 2026 ](/news/assistant-professor-parantap-bhatt-incorporates-ai-his-teaching-methods)