Dr. Tom Chau, distinguished senior scientist at the Bloorview Research Institute (BRI), Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and professor at the University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering, has been inducted into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame (CDHF).

The Canadian Disability Hall of Fame, established in 1994 by The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, is Canada’s only permanent recognition of people who have broken down barriers and expanded opportunities for those with disabilities. Each year, Canadians are honoured in the categories of Builder, Achiever and Athlete. Dr. Chau is recognized in the Builder category for his pioneering research in access innovations and his impact on children and youth with severe physical impairments.

Breaking barriers through technology
For more than two decades, Dr. Chau has dedicated his career to developing technologies that help children with limited motor control or speech find new ways to interact with the world. As lead of BRI's PRISM Lab (Paediatric Rehabilitation Intelligent Systems Multidisciplinary), his work explores “novel access pathways” — from vocal cord vibrations and facial gestures to brain activity — that can be translated into communication, play and control of devices.

Among his lab’s innovations are the Virtual Music Instrument, which allows children of all abilities to create music using movements or gestures, and the Hummingbird, a wearable device that enables children who are non-speaking to communicate through vocal cord vibrations. His team has also led the development of pediatric brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which detect brain signals and transform them into communication or control. This work contributed to the launch of the first pediatric BCI clinic at Holland Bloorview in 2019.

Reflecting on the recognition, Dr. Chau said:

“I am grateful to the Foundation for recognizing our work at Holland Bloorview, where we envision the most meaningful and healthy futures for all children, youth and families. The children and youth with whom we have worked are our true “hall of famers”, for they have schooled us to see potential where the world saw none, and trained us to do the smallest things with the greatest love.”

The impact of Dr. Chau’s innovations is felt most profoundly by children and families. Elena Chukalovskaya, whose daughter Maria uses the Hummingbird device developed by Dr. Chau’s team, said the innovation has profoundly changed their lives:

“My family is grateful to Dr. Tom Chau and his team for providing my daughter Maria with a tool that so wonderfully suits her needs and gives her the ability to control a personal computer, with all the benefits this can bring. Maria is limited in her abilities to use her hands and produce clear speech. Still, with the Hummer Switch technology, she has mastered controlling her personal computer using vocal cord vibrations, which enables access to specialized communication software customized for her needs by the CWAS team at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Thanks to technology, Maria can fully express herself in writing and communication with the help of computer-synthesized speech; she can create digital art, play music using her computer as a musical instrument, access the Internet, and participate in her school and community life. For Maria, the Hummer Switch technology has become a magical key that opens up the door to the entire world.”

Honouring a lifetime of impact

Dr. Chau’s induction adds to an extensive list of accolades, including the Governor General’s Innovation Award, the Order of Ontario and, most recently, his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada.

The Canadian Disability Hall of Fame has recognized more than 130 individuals since its founding, celebrating those whose achievements have improved life for people with disabilities in Canada and beyond. The 2025 induction ceremony took place on October 9 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou, vice-president of research and director of the Bloorview Research Institute, emphasized the significance of the honour:

“Tom’s induction into the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame speaks to the life-changing impact of his research. His vision has not only advanced science and technology, but has also opened doors for countless children and families to connect, communicate and participate more fully in their communities.”

As Dr. Chau reflects on this milestone, his focus remains on the children at the heart of his work. 

“Innovation inherently demands community,” he said. “It is made possible by the brilliance of students and colleagues, the generosity of donors and institutions like Holland Bloorview and the University of Toronto, and above all, the insights of children and families. They remind us that we do not labour for ourselves.”

By Priyanka Shah, Manager, Research Communications, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital