Sukaina Dada

Expert Overview

Sukaina is an expert on issues of health policy, occupational therapy, disability, and children and youth with disabilities.

Dr. Sukaina Dada has been working to improve children’s health, wellness and disability rights for over 15 years.

Dr. Dada focuses on addressing health disparities faced by racialized communities and persons with disabilities. She is a paediatric occupational therapist who has worked with children and youth in various community and healthcare settings. She is the founder and executive director of SMILE Canada - Support Services, a Canadian charity supporting racialized children and youth with disabilities and their families.

Through her grassroots work, Dr. Dada has had a significant policy impact through advocacy on antiracism, safer spaces, culturally responsive supports, and culturally relevant resources. She oversees the strategic planning of services and programs that support the unique needs of more than 600 underserved families facing institutional barriers.

Dr. Dada holds a PhD in Critical Disability Studies from the School of Health Policy and Management at York University with a research focus on displacement and disablement. She speaks across Canada on topics related to health policy, diversity and equity, intersectionality, and the social determinants of health and disability. She currently serves as a visiting postdoctorate fellow at York University developing an artificial intelligence search engine for disability advocates globally. Dr. Dada is the co-author of a children’s book, a Bedtime Prayer for Peace, author of several academic publications including her upcoming book, The Critical Intersection of Disablement and Displacement.