DISEASE-02 — Accessibility, equity & responsible AI for inclusive youth digital wellbeing interventions

The Accessibility Institute at Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada) is an interdisciplinary R&D unit focused on accessibility, inclusive design, and applied research that improves real-world services and systems. We seek to join consortia responding to HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-02, ideally as a Work Package leader or co-leader.

What we offer (high-value WP leadership / cross-cutting expertise):

• Disability-inclusive and equity-focused intervention design: Accessibility-by-design; inclusion of disabled and neurodivergent youth.

• Interdisciplinary accessibility and responsible AI expertise: Assessing AI-driven platform harms (e.g., algorithmic curation), disability-related bias/discrimination risk, and practical mitigation approaches.

• Participatory co-design and community-engaged methods: Extensive experience working with lived experience experts (persons with disabilities); ethical recruitment and safeguarding in sensitive contexts.

• Functioning and participation outcomes: Defining and measuring practical outcomes beyond symptoms (e.g., routines, school engagement, social participation), with accessible, human-in-the-loop data collection and equity checks.

• Evaluation frameworks: Integrating usability/accessibility metrics, implementation factors, and equity outcomes (who benefits, who is left out, unintended harms).

• Translation to practice: For schools, postsecondary institutions, youth services, and community organizations.

What we are looking for:

• Coordinator-led consortia with strong EU/Associated partners in youth mental health/public health, education systems, and/or digital wellbeing.

• Opportunities to lead/co-lead a WP on accessibility, equity, participatory methods, implementation, functioning outcomes, or evaluation.

Keywords: accessibility, disability inclusion, neurodiversity, youth mental health, digital harms, participatory research, equity, discrimination, functional profiles, community co-design, implementation, evaluation.