Zana Lutfiyya

Zana Lutfiyya is a native of Winnipeg and has long been associated with equality efforts for individuals with intellectual disabilities. After completing a B.A. from the University of Manitoba, she completed her graduate training and postdoctoral work at the Center on Human Policy, Syracuse University. Zana joined the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba in 1992. 

Her longstanding research interest has been identifying and examining the factors that help or hinder the valued social participation of individuals with intellectual disabilities in community life. This includes where individuals live, go to school, work and participate in recreational activities. She was part of a multi-disciplinary team that studied vulnerable people and end-of-life care. She has facilitated the participation of individuals with intellectual disabilities in the research process, both as participants and in helping determine research goals and questions. Zana researched how individuals with intellectual disabilities understand human rights and how they are supported in learning and exercising these rights. 

Zana taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels in inclusive education and qualitative research methods. She retired at the end of 2020. Her ongoing research interest has been the social participation of individuals with an intellectual disability in everyday community life.