Sumaya Gabriels

She trained as a Physiotherapist and worked clinically for several years before starting an academic career. In the DSD the academic and research programmes focus on generating assets, abilities and knowledge on disability inclusion with a specific focus on youth in Africa within a global context. Sumaya has a keen interest in Education and supporting students from disadvantaged educational backgrounds to succeed at university. She teaches on both the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and her work in the last few years has included the training mid-level community workers who provide services and care to persons with disabilities, particularly in disadvantaged communities. Her research will explore how mid-level workers are best prepared to address the mental health related care aspects of their work at community level. She is a keen proponent of interprofessional collaboration and practice and will consider how curricular can be designed collaboratively to improve mental health practices and care for persons with disabilities.