We are delighted to share that CREST.BD network member and Centre for Inclusion and Citizenship (CIC) Co-Director Dr. Rachelle Hole has been awarded University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) Health Researcher of the Year for 2019.

UBCO’s prestigious Researchers of the Year prize is awarded annually to top researchers in three areas – Natural Sciences and Engineering, Social Sciences and Humanities, and Health. Dr. Hole’s award comes in recognition of her research contributions toward the support for youth living with developmental disabilities and autism.

Learn more about Dr. Hole’s impact in this YouTube video (youtu.be/7-mwb9mwadY):

“I think it’s… not just seeing this work as an academic endeavor, it’s really about valuing people for who they are and all of their abilities.”

A specific focus of Dr. Hole’s research is in the community living sector working to promote and advance the inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities in community. Dr. Hole has worked for over 20 years in a variety of capacities supporting individuals and their families affected by developmental disabilities and autism, and is also known for her work with with deaf individuals – including a position as a community mental health worker for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind Well-Being Program.

Congratulations Rachelle Hole @RachelleHole for being researcher of the year! You are such an inspiration ! @ubcokanagan pic.twitter.com/f1k6naBzQz

— Shelly Ben-David (@SBenDavidPhD) March 9, 2019

Visit Dr. Hole’s CREST.BD profile, or follow her on Twitter @RachelleHole.