List of Accessibility Initiatives at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ

Required Accessibility Training

All À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ employees are required to complete Accessibility Training.

Training Course Source Notes
Accessibility Training (self-registration course in LEARN) Disability Inclusion Team, Human Resources
  • In order to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the University tracks completion of this course
  • AODA Customer Service Standard training
  • Will be updated to include the upcoming AODA Postsecondary Education Standards

Recommended Accessibility Resources

Refer to these resources as you strive toward inclusive teaching.

I want to... Initiative Source Notes
Make documents, slides, websites accessible Digital Accessibility GuideÌý University Relations
Make inclusive choices in language, images, web, and social media Inclusive Communications GuideÌýÌý University Relations

  • Includes the Digital Accessibility GuideÌýÌýÌý
Connect with others re. how to apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in my courses/workshops etc. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Community of PracticeÌý Campus Wellness in collaboration with campus partnersÌýÌý

  • Monthly virtual sessions on various themes related to UDLÌý

  • Open to all, attend whenever you wantÌýÌý
Check my course to identify where it meets accessibility requirements and what I can focus on to make the course more accessibleÌý Course-Level Accessibility Guide for Instructors projectÌý Project lead: Christine ZazaÌý

  • This Guide incorporates recommendations and guidelines that can be implemented at the course level by individuals who have little/no web development expertise.ÌýÌý

  • Christine has submitted a proposal for funding to conduct user testing and peer reviews and develop the Guide into an interactive web-based resource.Ìý

  • Current draft is available upon request (contact Christine Zaza if interested).Ìý

  • Collaborators:Ìý Stephanie Boragina (CEL), Chun Chih Chen (OHD), Felicia Pantazi (formerly CEL, now WIL), Gitanjali Shanbhag (CEL), Vincent Sweeney (CEL)
Find accessibility guides and resources re. accessibility legislation, universal design, etc. Developed by À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ staff Accessibility at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ – University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s resources on accessibility and universal design Disability Inclusion Team, HR

  • A comprehensive list of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s resources on accessibility and universal designÌý

  • Resources created by various groups, including the Library, CTE, University Relations, Accessibility at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, CEL, ISTÌý
Find out the legal requirements re. student accommodationsÌý Accommodation Role and ResponsibilitiesÌý AccessAbility ServicesÌý Ìý
Find external resources on accessibilityÌýÌý Accessibility at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ – External Accessibility ResourcesÌý Disability Inclusion Team, HRÌý
  • Recommended resources on various aspects of accessibilityÌý

Accessibility initiatives to be aware of (but no action is required)

Here's a list of what else is happening on campus related to accessibility.

Initiative Notes
Educational Technology HubÌý

  • Centrally-support educational technology tools and supportsÌý

  • Evaluation of ed tech tool accessibility is being developed
Accessibility Training StrategyÌý

  • Currently being developed by Disability Inclusion TeamÌý

  • Core training for all employeesÌý

  • Specific training for instructorsÌý

  • In progress
Keep Learning Website – Accessibility subsection

  • General guidance and collection of resources for instructorsÌý

  • Available but no longer updated – use other accessibility resources
Digital Learning StrategyÌý (DLS)Ìý

  • Co-Chairs:ÌýAldo Caputo and Johanna WandelÌý

  • A comprehensive framework for digital instruction and program designÌý

  • The DSL report was approved in June, 2023Ìý

  • Recommendations are being developed
Digital Accessibility Resource Collective (DARC)

  • Co-ordinated by University RelationsÌý

  • Non-teaching and learning resourcesÌý

  • Unclear at this time
Disability Inclusion Steering Committee (DISCo)

  • Established in 2022 to develop a strategy for the implementation of AODA’s Post-Secondary Education Accessibility recommendationsÌý

  • Membership includes: Joyce Barlow, Dave DeVidi, Cathy Newell-Kelly, Lili Liu, Jenny Flagler-George, Rebecca Butler
Teaching Innovation Incubator (TII) Accessible Education Project

  • This project will support the creation of a teaching and learning environment in which innovative, accessible education practices are valued and supported, and so are tried, assessed, and improved over time. Projects:Ìý

  • Digital content and learning materials project (Co-Leads: Aldo Caputo & Rob Hill)Ìý
  • Instructional programs and practices project (Co-Leads: Donna Ellis & Diana Skryzdlo)Ìý
  • Policies and Guidelines project (Co-Leads: Dave DeVidi & Jennifer Coghlin)
Inclusive Physical Space FrameworkÌý

  • This framework intends to guide and empower post-secondary institutions to plan, build, operate, and maintain physical spaces on and off campus which uphold strategies for accessibility, well-being, and sustainability.Ìý

  • Project leads: Joyce Barlow and Christine Hancock (Plant Ops)
  • Created by Emma Collington (PhD Student in Biology) and Samantha Fowler (Disability Inclusion Coordinator)
  • Emma Collington and Samantha Fowler are currently organizing an Ontario Summit for Students with DisabilitiesÌýfor 2024, with assistance from Christine Zaza (Workplace Accessibility Specialist)
Ìý

  • Jay Dolmage, EditorÌý

  • Published by the Canadian Disability Studies AssociationÌý

  • Hosted by University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ LibraryÌý

If you would like to see a University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ-based Accessibility Initiative included on this page, please email Christine Zaza (Disability Inclusion) or Victoria Feth (Centre for Teaching Excellence).Ìý