Logan is social worker and one of the longest-standing NYAC members! For him, self-advocacy has become a way to raise awareness and educate others.
Logan Wong, Co-Chair of the NYAC
“It's about being vocal and creating representation for people with disabilities,” he says. “Especially brain-based disabilities, because they’re often invisible.”
Logan, who holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Toronto, knows all about helping people with social disadvantages. “Sometimes I feel like I’m a professional advocate,” he jokes.
Logan has been with the NYAC since it was formed in 2018. Today, he’s the council’s co-Chair with Hans Dupuis. In the past six years, Logan has been a youth research partner on multiple studies and worked with organizations and universities across the country, including Holland Bloorview Rehabilitation Hospital. Currently, among other projects, he sits on the advisory committee for “What Decision-Makers Want,” a study of psychosocial interventions in Canada being conducted in partnership with CHILD-BRIGHT's Strongest Families Neurodevelopmental Program.
Logan has parlayed his social work training and experience as a research partner into his work as an IDEAA consultant. The acronym stands for inclusion, diversity, equity, anti-racism, and accessibility; Logan uses this intersectional approach to help non-profits build more diverse and equitable work environments.
As someone living with cerebral palsy, autism, and multiple anxiety disorders and who is trans and biracial, Logan is candid about the importance of lived experience within health research. "I came out as trans while working with CHILD-BRIGHT,” he says. “I changed my name, pronouns, and identity documents while on the NYAC.” He says that, throughout the process, everyone at CHILD-BRIGHT was incredibly supportive: “They accepted me for who I am as a person.”
Logan is firm in his belief that engaging those with lived experience in health research leads to more relevant, impactful outcomes. “I'm grateful to CHILD-BRIGHT for giving me the opportunity to get involved in childhood disability research,” he says. “I’m looking forward to doing more on the NYAC.”
You can learn more about Logan and his consultation work on his website.