Connect1d Canada is not a patient partnership or co-design program in the traditional sense. It is a research connection platform that helps people living with type 1 diabetes learn about Canadian research studies and clinical trials.

However, Connect1d Canada was shaped through patient partnership and co-design. People living with T1D helped inform how the platform presents opportunities, supports choice, protects privacy, and shares information in clearer, more accessible ways.

No. Signing up for Connect1d Canada does not enroll you in a study or clinical trial. It means you may receive information about research opportunities that could be relevant to you. You decide whether you want to learn more about each opportunity.

If you click “I’m Interested,” a research coordinator may contact you with more information about the study. They can explain what the study involves, answer your questions, and confirm whether you meet the eligibility criteria. You can then decide whether you want to consent and participate.

No. Each study has its own eligibility criteria. Being contacted about a study or expressing interest does not guarantee that you will be eligible or selected to participate.

Yes. Children and youth under 18 can be registered for Connect1d Canada with the permission and supervision of a parent or legal guardian. Parents or legal guardians may help complete registration and support their child or teen in deciding whether a research opportunity is right for them.

Compensation varies by study. Some research opportunities may offer compensation, reimbursement, or honoraria, while others may not. When compensation or reimbursement is available, it should be clearly included in the study information before you decide whether you are interested.

Your information will not be shared with a research team simply because you received a study notification. You choose whether to express interest in a study. If you select “I’m Interested,” a research coordinator may follow up with more information and next steps.

Yes. You can say no to any research opportunity at any time. You are never required to participate in a study because you signed up for Connect1d Canada.

Connect1d Canada was developed with accessibility in mind, including a focus on clear language, plain-language study information, and easier ways to learn about research opportunities.

We know accessibility is not only about language. It also includes whether people with low vision, no vision, or people who use screen readers and other assistive technologies can use the platform fully and independently. The Connect1d Canada team is continuing to review and improve the platform’s accessibility, including screen reader compatibility.

If you have an accessibility need, use a screen reader, or require information in a different format, you can contact the Connect1d Canada team at cnct1d@ualberta.ca.

When study results are available, Connect1d Canada aims to support plain-language updates about what researchers learned, what the findings may mean, and what comes next. This is part of making research more transparent and meaningful for the people who contribute to it.