mcmaster accessibility council 2014-2015 annual …...mcmaster accessibility council - sixth year...

McMasterAccessibilityCouncil

2014-2015AnnualReport

DATE: October2015

SUBJECT: McMasterAccessibilityCouncil–2014-2015AnnualReport

TO: PatrickDeane,President

DavidWilkinson,ProvostandVicePresident(Academic)

RogerCouldrey,Vice-President(Administration)

FROM: AnnePottier,AssociateUniversityLibrarian,LibraryServicesandChairof

McMasterAccessibilityCouncil(MAC

Pleasefindenclosed,foryourreview,thesixthannualreportfromtheMcMaster

AccessibilityCouncil(MAC).

McMasterAccessibilityCouncil-SixthYearReport2015

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TableofContents

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................... 4

2. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND ..................................................................... 5

A) ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (AODA) 2005 .................... 5

B) MCMASTER ACCESSIBILITY COUNCIL (MAC) .......................................................... 6

3. COMPLIANCE MEASURES .................................................................................. 6

A) CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARD ............................................................................ 6

i. Accessible Customer Service Training ............................................................ 6

ii. Establishment of policies, practices and procedures ...................................... 7

C) INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY STANDARD REGULATION (IASR) .................................. 8

iii. Accessible Websites and Web Content ......................................................... 8

iv. Procurement ................................................................................................. 10

v. Employment ................................................................................................... 10

vi. Design of Public Spaces ............................................................................... 11

4. ACCESSIBILITY ACHIEVEMENTS – 2014/2015 ............................................... 12

A) PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY .................................................................................... 12

i. Accessibility Upgrades by Facility Services ................................................... 12

ii. Integrated Science Lab ................................................................................. 13

B) MCMASTER LIBRARY .......................................................................................... 14

i. Updated Library Accessibility Features .......................................................... 14

C) MCMASTER INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATION & EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING & LEARNING

(MIIETL) .................................................................................................................. 15

D) STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES (SAS) ........................................................... 16

E) HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUITY SERVICES (HRES) ...................................................... 16

F) MCMASTER STUDENT UNION (MSU) .................................................................... 16

ii. MSU Accessibility Campaign ........................................................................ 17

iii. MSU Abilities Service ................................................................................... 17


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iv. MSU Clubs ................................................................................................... 17

G) MOSAIC .............................................................................................................. 17

H) SNOW REMOVAL ................................................................................................. 18

I) MCMASTER.CA WEBSITE ...................................................................................... 18

J) OTHER ACCESSIBILITY ACTIVITIES ........................................................................ 18

5. ACCESSIBILITY PRIORITIES FOR 2015/2016 .................................................. 19

6. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 19

7. APPENDIX A: AODA SCORECARD .................................................................. 21

8. APPENDIX B: MCMASTER ACCESSIBILITY COUNCIL (MAC) TERMS OF REFERENCE ............................................................................................................. 25


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1. ExecutiveSummaryThissixthannualreporthighlightstheaccessibilityachievementsaccomplishedin2014-

2015andidentifiesaccessibilityprioritiesfor2015-2016.TheMcMasterAccessibility

Council(MAC)continuesprovidingleadershiponaccessibilityissuesacrosscampusasit

overseestheUniversity’scomplianceobligationsaspertheAccessibilityforOntarianswith

DisabilitiesAct(AODA),2005.

McMasterhasmadegreatstridesinitseffortstobuildacultureofaccessibility.Thenew

IntegratedSciencelablocatedonthegroundflooroftheGeneralSciencesbuildingisthe

firstlaboncampusdesignedwithaccessibilityinmindandisanexampleofthetypeof

proactiveeffortsonaccessibilitythatareevidentacrosstheUniversity.Upgradestothe

builtenvironmentareongoingandareledbyFacilityServices.TheMcMasterStudent

Union(MSU)havetakenactivemeasurestoadvanceaccessibilityforstudentsoncampus

andhaveimplementedanMSUAccessibilityPolicywhichseekstoacknowledgeand

addressthelivedexperienceofstudentswithdisabilitiesoncampus.Enhancingthe

studentexperiencethroughaccessibleteachingandlearningpracticesisakeyfocusof

McMasterInstitutionforInnovation&ExcellenceinTeaching&Learning(MIIETL).Using

educationalprogramsandthedevelopmentofinstructionaltoolsforfacultyand

instructors,MIIETLispavingthewayformoreaccessiblemodesofteachingandlearning

atMcMaster.

Aswemoveintothenewacademicyear,2015/2016,MAChasidentifiedseveral

accessibilityprioritiesthatwillsetthecourseforcontinuedadvancementonaccessibility

issues.RevisingandupdatingtheMcMasterAccessibilityPolicyandtheAODACustomer

ServiceTrainingModulewillensureourinternalpolicyinitiativesareinlinewithcurrent

regulationsundertheAODA.TherolloutofaUniversitywidesolutionfortheweb

accessibilitystandardsoftheAODAwillensureMcMasterismaintainingitscompliance

obligationsandthedevelopmentofnewresourcesandtoolsforinstructorsandeducators


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onaccessibleteachingstrategies,programsandmethodologieswillprovidetherequisite

supportstofullyintegrateaccessibilityintoourteachingandlearningpractices.

2. Introduction&BackgroundTheMcMasterAccessibilityCouncil(MAC)isrequiredtosubmitanannualreporttothe

President,aspertheMACTermsofReference,throughtheProvost&Vice-President

(Academic)andtheVice-President(Administration).Thisreporthighlightstheaccessibility

accomplishmentsfromacrosstheUniversityin2014/2015andsetsthecoursefor

accessibilityprioritiesfor2015/2016.

a) AccessibilityforOntarianswithDisabilitiesAct(AODA)2005In2005,theprovincialgovernmentofOntarioenactedtheAccessibilityforOntarianswith

DisabilitiesAct,(AODA)withthegoalofmakingOntariofullyaccessibletopersonswith

disabilitiesby2025.

Figure1:AODAStandards


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TheAODAestablishesanumberofstandardsandregulationstoensureaccessibilityis

beingimplementedaccordingtothelegislativerequirements.Thesestandardsconsistof

theCustomerServiceStandardandtheIntegratedAccessibilityStandard,whichincludes

Information&Communication,Transportation,EmploymentandtheDesignofPublic

Spaces.Eachstandardsetsoutspecificcompliancerequirementswithrollingcompliance

dates.AcompliancescorecardforMcMasterUniversitycanbefoundinAppendixA.

b) McMasterAccessibilityCouncil(MAC)

MACensuresMcMaster’scompliancewiththeAODA.WhentheAODAwasenacted,

McMasterrecognizedthattoeffectivelyadvanceaccessibilityandtoensurecompliance

withtheAODA,thisworkneededtobespearheadedbyseniormembersoftheUniversity

administration.MACwassubsequentlycreatedinthesummerof2009consistingof

AssistantVice-PresidentsandseniordirectorsfromacrosssectionoftheUniversity.The

Councilmeetsregularlythroughouttheacademicyear.AfullmembershiplistandTermsof

ReferencecanbefoundinAppendixB.

3. ComplianceMeasures

a) CustomerServiceStandard

TheCustomerServiceStandardisintendedtoensurethatpersonswithdisabilitiescan

accessgoodsorserviceswithoutencounteringbarriers.Thisstandardhasarangeof

compliancerequirements,whicharedetailedbelow.

i. AccessibleCustomerServiceTraining

Everypersonintheorganizationwhodealswithmembersofthepublicorparticipatesin

thedevelopmentofpolicies,practicesandproceduresthatgoverntheprovisionofgoods

orservicestomembersofthepublicarerequiredtotakethistraining.


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TheMcMasterAODACustomerServiceTrainingisprovidedonlineviatheMcMaster

Accessibilitywebsite.Forthosewhodonothaveaccesstoacomputer,theAccessibility

SpecialistfromtheOfficeofHumanRights&EquityServicesand/ortheManagerof

EmployeeHealthServicesfromHumanResourcesServicescanprovidein-persontraining.

AsofAugust2015,whichistheendofthe2014/2015academicyear,atotalof25,887

staff,studentleadersandinstructorsacrosscampuscompletedthetraining.Customer

ServiceTrainingremainsanongoingrequirementforallnewemployees,Teaching

Assistants(TA’s),instructors,andvolunteersofMcMaster.Communicationrelatedtothe

trainingandotheraccessibilityrelatedissuesaredirectedtotheAODAinboxat:

[email protected]

i. UpdatingtheTrainingModule

TheonlineCustomerServiceTraininghasbeeninplacesince2010.Enactmentofthe

IntegratedAccessibilityStandardaswellasotherMcMasterspecificchangesrequirethe

trainingmoduletoberevisedandupdatedtobetterreflectthechangesthathavetaken

placeoverthepast5years.Thestructureofmodulesandthelengthofthetrainingneed

tobeamendedtoprovideforamorerobusttrainingmodule.Thisprojectwillrequire

consultationwithsubjectmatterexpertsacrosscampusandwillbeundertakeninthe

2015/2016academicyear.

ii. Establishmentofpolicies,practicesandprocedures

TheCustomerServiceStandardrequiresthatorganizationsestablishespolices,practices

andproceduresthatgoverntheprovisionofitsgoodandservicestopersonswith

disabilitiesandshouldincludeinformationontheuseofserviceanimalsandsupport

persons,noticeoftemporarydisruptions,feedbackprocessforprovidersofgoodsor

services,andnoticeofavailabilityofdocuments.


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TheUniversity’sBoardofGovernorspassedtheMcMasterAccessibilityPolicyinMarch

2010.ThepolicydetailstheUniversity’sdedicationtocreatingafullyaccessible

environment,andprovidesguidelinesonhowtooperationalizespecificaccessibility

processes.

Since2010,theAODA’sIntegratedAccessibilityStandardshavebeeninforceandincludea

numberofnewcompliancerequirementsintheareasofInformation&Communication,

Employment,TransportationandtheDesignofPublicSpaces.Inordertoaccuratelyreflect

theUniversity’scommitmenttothesenewstandards,areviewofthePolicyisrequired,

anditisanticipatedthatthisprocesswillunfoldduringthe2015/2016academicyear.

c) IntegratedAccessibilityStandardRegulation(IASR)EffectiveJuly1,2011,theprovincialgovernmentenactedtheIntegratedAccessibility

StandardsRegulation(IASR).TheIASRsetsstandardsfor:

• Information&Communications

• Employment

• Transportationand

• DesignofPublicSpaces

Thecompliancedatesarestaggeredandallowforgradualimplementationoverseveral

years.

iii. AccessibleWebsitesandWebContent

Section14oftheInformation&CommunicationStandardrequireslargepublicsector

institutionsto;

“…maketheirinternetwebsitesandwebcontentconformwiththeWorldWideWeb

ConsortiumWebContentAccessibilityGuidelines(WCAG)2.0,initiallyatLevelAand

increasingtoLevelAA…”


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ThecomplianceschedulerequiresadherencewiththissectionbyJanuary1,2014fornew

internetwebsitesandwebcontentatWCAG2.0LevelAandJanuary1,2021forall

internetwebsiteandwebcontentWCAG2.0LevelAA(withsomelimitedexceptions).

McMaster’sonlinepresenceisdecentralizedwithnumerouswebsitesandwebpages

undertheMcMasternamebuthostedandmanagedbyvariousdepartmentsacross

campus.Thisposessignificantchallengeswhenimplementinguniversity-wideweb

accessibilitystandards.Despitethechallenge,worktoadvancecompliancewiththis

sectionhasbeguninearnest.

ii. ClosedCaptioningWorkingGroup(CCWG)

Oneoftherequirementsforwebaccessibilityisforallmediatobeclosed-captioned.

Whilesomedepartmentsandofficesacrosscampusalreadyincludethisintheirmedia

production,manyareunawareoftherequirementand/orareunawareofbestpracticesor

reasonablethird-partyvendorsavailabletothem.TheCCWGbroughttogetherover20

representativesfromacrosstheUniversitytoidentifythespecificchallengesthatthe

campusfacesincomplyingwiththisrequirementtodevelopaworkableuniversity-wide

solutionthatcanberolledoutassoonaspossible.

iii. WebAccessibilityAdvisoryGroup(WAAG)

Inthewinterof2015,MACreceivedapprovalfromthebudgetcommitteetohireaWeb

AccessibilitySpecialistona12-monthcontracttotrainandprovideleadershiptoward

makingMcMasterwebsitesandwebcontentaccessibleinresponsetoitscompliance

obligations.Theadvisorygroupwasestablishedtoensurethattheoverallstrategyto

ensureuniversitywidecomplianceisrealistic,sustainableandutilizes(orborrow)the

expertiseandknowledgealreadyavailableatMcMaster.Thegroupwillcontinuetomeet

in2015/2016andwillprovideoversightandwillactinanadvisorycapacitytotheWeb

AccessibilitySpecialistforthedurationofthecontract.


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iv. WebAccessibilityCourse

UniversityTechnologyServices(UTS)recentlycompletedaWebAccessibilityCoursewhich

istoolisintendedtohelpwebadministratorsdifferentiatebetweenaccessibleand

inaccessiblecontentandtoidentitywhatstepstotaketomakethecontentcompliant

withwebaccessibilitystandards.Thistoolwillprovideadditionaltoolstodepartmentand

facultywebadministratorsinhelpingthemadheretowebaccessibilitystandards.

v. InstructionalDesignerandAccessibilityConsultant

MACreceivedfunding,asapprovedbythebudgetcommittee,tohireanInstructional

DesignerandAccessibilityConsultantfora10-monthcontract.Thisrolewillprovide

educatorswithaccessibilityawarenesstrainingrelatedtoaccessibleprogramorcourse

deliveryandinstructionaspersection16oftheIASR.TheintroductionoftheIASRbrought

anumberoftrainingrequirementsunderthelegislationthatMcMasterneedstoputinto

place.TheInstructionalDesignerandAccessibilityConsultantisintendedtocreatea

blueprintforthedevelopmentoftrainingtoolsspecificallyforinstructors.Thehiring

processiscurrentlyunderway.

iv. Procurement

Section5oftheIASRspecifiesthataccessibilitycriteriaandfeaturesbeincludedwhen

procuringoracquiringgoods,servicesorfacilities.TheStrategicProcurementdepartment

haveincludedanaccessibilitystatementtoitsprocurementtemplateofpurchasesof

$100,000orgreater.Itisanticipatedthataccessibilityconsiderationswillalsobeextended

totheprocurementofgoods,servicesandfacilitiesunder$100,000.Followupwith

StrategicProcurementwilltakeplaceduring2015/2016.

v. Employment

TheEmploymentStandardoftheIASRstipulatescomprehensiveguidelinesforaccessibility

duringrecruitmentandhiring.HumanResourcesServicescontinuetoleadtheway


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forwardensuringcompliancewiththestandardssinceJanuary2012.Anotable

achievementthisyearhasbeentheWorkplaceAccommodationPolicy,whichwas

amendedandapprovedbytheBoardofGovernorsonJune4,2015.Thispolicyreaffirms

McMaster’scommitmenttoprovidingworkplaceaccommodationtoemployeeswho

requireitbasedonagroundprotectedbytheOntarioHumanRightsCode.Acompanion

documententitledMcMasterUniversityGuideandProceduresonWorkplace

Accommodation(the“AccommodationGuide”)wasalsocreatedtoprovideguidanceon

thepracticalapplicationoftheWorkplaceAccommodationPolicy.

vi. DesignofPublicSpaces

TheDesignofPublicSpaceStandardscomesintoeffectonJanuary1,2016.TheDesignof

PublicSpacesStandardsregulatesthedesignofnewlyconstructedorredevelopedspaces

usedbythepublic.ElementscoveredbytheStandardincludeexteriorspacessuchas

sidewalksandotherpedestrianwalkways,parkinglots,outdoorpublicuseeatingareas,

recreationaltrailsandplaygrounds.Requirementsarealsoincludedforsomedesign

elementsassociatedwithprovidingpublicaccesstoservices,suchasservicecounters,

fixedqueuingguidesandwaitingareas.

FacilityServicesleadMcMaster’scomplianceeffortsforthisStandard.FacilityServices

continuestoworkthroughtheCampusAccessibilityActionPlan(CAAP),whichisafive-

yearplantoensureabaselinelevelofphysicalaccessibilitytoacademicbuildingsacross

campus.Alistofphysicalaccessibilityachievementsin2014/2015hasbeenlistedinthe

followingsection.


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4. AccessibilityAchievements–2014/2015

a) PhysicalAccessibility

i. AccessibilityUpgradesbyFacilityServices

Description

GilmourHall–MenandWomen’swashrooms-Renovationstomakethembarrier-

freeaspercurrentOntarioBuildingcodes.

InstituteforAppliedHealthSciences(IAHS)–Barrier-freeWashroomUpgrades–

FirstFloor,ThirdFloorandFourthFloorwashrooms.Renovationstothese

washroomstomakeitbarrier-freeaspercurrentcodes.

CampuswideElevatorVoiceAnnunciationProject:Allelevatorsoncampusare

beingretrofittedwithtalkingkeypads/voiceannunciators.Projectisalmost

completewithjustafewunitsremaining.All54elevatorsoncampuswillhave

voiceannunciationattheendofthisproject.ReplacementofThodeLibrary

elevator–nowfullyaccessible.

AlumniHouse-barrier-freewashroom–renovationstothiswashroomtomakeit

accessibleaspercurrentcodes.

AppliedDynamicsLab-barrier-freewashroom–renovationstothiswashroomto

makeitaccessibleaspercurrentstandards.

HamiltonHall,JohnHodginsEngineeringBuilding(JHE),Psychology,LifeSciences

Building(LSB)IAHS,andMillsLibrary–FireAlarmVisualSignalsinthesebuildings.

UniversityHall–lightingupgradesinstairwell

IvorWynneCentre(IWC)-BasementAccessibilityUpgradesintheKinesiology

Offices:Allautomaticdooropenersincorridordoorsinstalled.Graduatestudent

barrier-freekitchenetteiscomplete.

CommunicationsResearchLaboratory–barrierfreeautomaticdooroperators

installedforbasementwashroom

Figure2:PhysicalAccessibilityAchievementsin2014/2015.


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ii. IntegratedScienceLab

ThenewIntegratedSciencelablocatedonthegroundflooroftheGeneralSciences

buildingisthefirstlaboncampusdesignedwithaccessibilityinmind.Thefacilityincludes

anaccessibledoor;colourcontrastflooringandpaint;loweredlabtablesandadjustable

workstationstoensurestudentswithdisabilitieshaveequalaccesstothelearning

environment.

Figure3:ImageofAccessibleIntegratedScienceLab,GeneralSciencesBuilding.

FacilityServicesdemonstrateditsleadershiponphysicalaccessibilitybyinitiatingthe

barrier-freedesignfeaturesinthislab.Theirvisionforcreatinganaccessiblecampuswill

onlybeattainablebyensuringthatallrenovationsandnewconstructiononcampusbe

designedwithaccessibilityinmind.Thislabservesasanexampleofhoweffectiveand

sustainableaproactiveapproachtoaccessibilitycanbe.Ratherthanreactingtoindividual

requestsforphysicalaccommodationssuchasawheelchairaccessibleworkstation,this

labisalreadyequippedwithsuchfacilities’savingtheUniversityandindividual

departmentsunnecessaryexpenseandliability,nottomentiontheindignitytostudents,

stafforfacultyhavingtorequestaccesstotheirlab.


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b) McMasterLibrary

McMasterLibraryServicescontinuetotakeaproactiveapproachtoadvancingaccessibility

atMcMaster.InadditiontotheirLibraryAccessibilityServices,theLibraryhascreatedan

accessibleprocurementstatementandprocedurefortheacquisitionoflibrarymaterials,

withspecificattentiontomediaacquisitions.

i. UpdatedLibraryAccessibilityFeatures

AlistoftheupdatedaccessibilityfeaturesnowavailableattheMcMasterLibrariescanbe

foundbelow.

Description

AutomaticdooroperatorsaddedtotwowashroomsonthefourthfloorofMills

Library,increasingtheiraccessibilityandusability

IntegratedaccesstotheACErepository(formoreinformationabouttheACE

projectpleaseseetheMACfirthyearannualreportlocatedonourwebsite)of

alternativeformatmaterialsfromwithinthelibrarycatalogue

LibraryServicescreatedaprocessforstudentswhorequirealternativeformats

todirectlyrequestan“accessiblecopy”ofanytitleinthelibrarycatalogue

whileusingthecatalogue.TitlesthatarenotavailablethroughACEorAERO

aredigitizedandconvertedandaremadeavailableforusetostudents

registeredthroughSAS.

AsanoutcomeoftheReport on Accessible Media(ROAM),undertookan

analysisofthelibrary’slegacymediacollection.LibraryServiceshaveadded

notestoallrecordstoindicatewhenclosecaptioningisavailable.Thenextstep

inthisprocessistoreviewallstreamedmediarecordstodeterminewhichones

haveclosecaptioningandaddnotestotheserecordswithinthelibrary’s

cataloguesystem.

Revisedall“HowLibraryStuffWorks”videoseriestoensurethatclose

captioningisaccurateandtranscriptsareavailable.


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Launchedthe“AskaLibrarian”virtualreferenceservice(Fall2014)which

permitsalluserstorequesthelpwiththeirresearchremotely,16hoursaday

duringterm,withlimitedaccessonweekends.Thisisaservicerunjointlyby

manyoftheOntariouniversitylibraries.

PurchasedanaccessibleSharpmulti-functionaldevice

(copier/printer/scanner),whichfeaturesapull-outkeyboardthatcanbe

pivotedforaccessatmultipleheightsandangles.Thisdeviceisfullyintegrated

withthecampusPrintsmartsystem.ItislocatedintheMillsLearning

Commons,neartheLibraryAccessibilityServicesoffice.

c) McMasterInstituteforInnovation&ExcellenceinTeaching&

Learning(MIIETL)

Overthelast12monthsMIIETLhasmadegreatstridesinadvancingaccessibilityin

teachingandlearning.TheMIIETLaccessibilitycommitteewasestablishedtoguide

MIIETL’sworkandtoensureasustainedcommitmenttoaccessibility.TheFaculty

AccessibilityResourceGuidebookwaspublishedinJanuary2014withstudentscholarsto

contributetotheresourcesavailabletoinstructors.AccessibleTeachingworkshopsare

availableforinstructorsandaccessibility-focusedsessionsarecontinuallyoffered

throughouttheyearandattheTeachingandLearningForumorganizedforTeaching

Assistants(TA’s)atthebeginningoftheacademicyear.Theseworkshopsutilizethe

expertiseandscholarshipofMIIETLstaffandpayparticularattentiontoclassroom

teachingstrategiesandassessmentdesign.TheIntroductiontoAccessibilityatMcMaster

videowasalsocreatedandproducedbyMIIETLstaffandtheAccessibilityCommunityof

PracticeissupportedbyMIIETLandisanexampleofthecollaborativenatureofitswork

onaccessibility.TheAccessibilityCommunityofPracticebringstogetheracross-sectionof

theMcMastercommunity(facultyandstaff)toaddresskeyaccessibilitychallengesinthe

areaofteachingandlearning.


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d) StudentAccessibilityServices(SAS)Inadditiontocoordinatingacademicaccommodationsforstudentswithdisabilities,SAS

providesworkshopsforstudentsandinstructorsthroughouttheacademicyear.The

ShiftingGearsprogramisaninitiativethatintroducesnewMcMasterstudentstothe

servicesandcampusresourcesthatareavailabletostudentswithdisabilitieswhorequire

academicaccommodations.TheSASStudentAllyProgramisaninnovativeprogramthat

matchesastudentwithadisabilitywithanupperyearstudentwhocananswerquestions

andprovidesupporttoensureasmoothtransitionintoUniversitylife.

e) HumanRights&EquityServices(HRES)

HREScontinuesitsworkcoordinatingaccessibilityinitiativesandAODAcomplianceacross

theUniversity.ThroughtheHRESAccessMACprogram,theAccessibilitySpecialistsupports

thecampuscommunityinadvancingaccessibilitythroughaccessibilityconsultations.This

resourceisavailabletostaff,studentsandfacultywheretheycanseekadviceand

guidanceonAODAcomplianceandbroaderaccessibilityissues.TrainingontheDutyto

Accommodate,Accessibility101,AODACustomerServiceTrainingandAODAcompliance

areofferingsavailabletothecampuscommunitythroughouttheyear.TherevisedHRES

AccessibilityChecklistisanadditionaltooldesignedtohelpeventorganizersplanfor

accessibility.HRESwillcontinuetolenditsexpertiseinpolicydevelopmentaswellas

providingsupporttoMACandthePresident’sAdvisoryCommitteeonBuildinganInclusive

Community(PACBIC)Access&AccommodationandMentalHealth,EquityandInclusion

workinggroups,respectively.

f) McMasterStudentUnion(MSU)

In2014/2015theMSUhostedaDisabilityForumwhereapproximately40students

attendedandsharedinsightsontheirexperienceasstudentswithdisabilitiesatMcMaster

University.ThesuccessoftheForumledtothedevelopmentoftheMSUAccessibility

PolicyPaper,whichwasapprovedinthe2014/2015academicyear.TheMSUaremembers


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ofMACandanumberofotheraccessibilityworkinggroupsacrosscampusensuringthat

thespecificexperienceofstudentswithdisabilitiesarerepresentedatdecisionmaking

tables.

ii. MSUAccessibilityCampaign

ThefirstMSUaccessibilitycampaign,“MACCESS”tookplaceinSeptember2015.TheMSU

promoteddisabilityawareness,advocatedforenhanceaccessibilityoncampusand

engagedstudentsindialogueonarangeofaccessibilityanddisabilityissues.

iii. MSUAbilitiesService

Aspartofit’sDiversityServicesportfolio,theMSUwillbelaunchingitsnewAbilities

Servicein2016/2017.Workiscurrentlyunderwaytohiretheservicemanagerandto

engagestudentswithdisabilities.The2ndAccessibilityForumscheduledforOctober2015

willfeedintothedesignoftheAbilitiesServiceandwillprovideleadershipand

representationforundergraduatestudentswithdisabilitiesatMcMaster.

iv. MSUClubs

Intheireffortstomainstreamaccessibilityaspartofthecultureoftheorganization,the

MSUhavemandatedthatallitsclubscompletetheHRESAccessibilityChecklistwhen

seekingapprovalfortheirevents.Thiswillaidinraisingawarenesswithinthestudentbody

abouttheirresponsibilitiestocreateaccessibleandinclusiveprograming.

g) Mosaic

TheMosaicteamiscontinuingitseffortstoensureMosaicmeetsaccessibilitystandards.

Oneoftherecentimprovementsincludeprovidinguserswiththeoptiontoself-enable

accessibilityfeatureswithinMosaic.Thisfeatureallowsuserstoturn-ontheaccessibility

functionalitytobettersupportassistivetechnologiessuchasscreenreaders.Moredetails

canbefoundontheMosaicwebsite.


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h) SnowRemoval

Thewinterof2013/2014wasextremelycoldandicyandtherewereasignificantnumber

ofaccessibilitychallengesfacedbystaff,studentsandfacultywithdisabilitiesoncampus.

ThePACBIC(President’sAdvisoryCommitteeforBuildinganInclusiveCommunity)Access

&Accommodation(A&A)workinggrouptookupthisissuein2014/2015whichresulted

inthedevelopmentofrecommendationsforsnowremovalthatweredevelopedwithand

presentedtoFacilityServices.In-personmeetingsbetweenA&Arepresentativesand

FacilityServiceshelpedfosterbettercommunicationaboutthespecificaccessibility

challengesbeingfacedandthepossiblesolutions.Theworkinggroupexpectsthatthe

physicalbarriersencounteredinpreviousyearswillbesignificantlydiminishedin

2015/2016.

i) McMaster.cawebsite

McMaster’sdigitalfrontdoorgotarefreshinAugust2015withanaccessibleandmobile-

friendlyhomepage.

j) OtherAccessibilityActivities

In2014/2015MACcontinueditsinvolvementinadvancingaccessibilityissuesacross

campusbyreiteratingtheimportanceof,andorganizationalcommitmentto,accessibility

whereverpossible. MembersoftheCouncilhavebeeninvitedtospeaktovarious

McMastercommitteesontheinstitution’slegislativeobligationsandMcMaster’s

commitmenttomeettheseresponsibilitiesunderthelegislationandourpolicies.These

sessionshavebeenwellreceivedandMACcontinuestoensurethataccessibility

considerationsareimplementedthroughouttheMcMastercommunity,fromday-to-day

operations,totheclassroomandthecommunityatlarge.


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5. AccessibilityPrioritiesfor2015/2016

AstheMACentersitsseventhyearofoperation,itwillcontinueprovidingleadershipon

theimplementationoftheAODA.In2015/2016McMasterwillcompleteitsAccessibility

ComplianceReporttotheGovernmentofOntario,whichcoversongoingcompliancewith

theAccessibleCustomerServiceStandardandtheIntegratedAccessibilityStandards

Regulation.Movingforward,MACwillstrivetoensurethataccessibilityremainsatthe

forefrontoftheUniversity’sagendawithaviewtocompletingthefollowingoverthe

courseof2015/2016.

• UpdatetheAODAonlineCustomerServiceTrainingmodule;

• MovetheAODAonlineCustomerServiceTrainingmoduletoAvenuetoLearnand

thetrainingcompletionrecordstoMosaic;

• ReviseandupdatetheMcMasterAccessibilityPolicy;

• FollowupwithStrategicProcurementregardingaccessibilitystandardsforgoods

andservicesunder$100,000;

• Rolloutacentralplantofacilitateclosedcaptioningofmediacreatedoncampus;

• Completethewebaccessibilityauditanddevelopawebaccessibilitystrategy;and

• ThroughMIITEL’snewInstructionalDesignerandAccessibilityConsultant,develop

andimplementaresource/toolforinstructorsandeducatorsonaccessible

teachingstrategies,programsandmethodologies

6. Conclusion

AsMAClookstofurtheritscommitmenttoenhancingaccessibilityacrosstheUniversityin

the2015-2016academicyear,itwillcontinuetodevelopandemployproactivestrategies


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tomeetAODAcomplianceaswellastofosteraspiritofaccessibilitythatextendsbeyond

legislativerequirements.


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7. AppendixA:AODAScorecard

McMasterUniversityScorecard-OntarianswithDisabilitiesAct(AODA)

AODARegulation

ComplianceDate

ComplianceStatus

ProposedActionToAchieveCompliance

Procuringoracquiringgoods,servicesorfacilitiess.5(1)…shallincorporateaccessibilitycriteriaandfeatureswhenprocuringoracquiringgoods,servicesorfacilities,exceptwhereitisnotpracticabletodoso.

Partialcompliance.StatementincorporatedintoREPtemplateforpurchasesover$100,000,however,noresourcesorstatementsguidingstaffandfacultyforpurchasesunder$100,000.Roleandresponsibilityofstaffandfacultyforaccessiblepurchases

• Procurementtoprovideinformationontheirwebsite,trainingandotheroutreachmaterialstohelpstaffandfacultyinconsideringaccessibilityfeaturesforalltheirpurchases.

Training–CustomerService

Incompliance,however,currenttrainingisoutofdateandrequiresrevision.Recommendationtoshortentraining

• Seerecommendationbelow


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Training–IASRandHumanRightCodes.7(1)…shallensurethattrainingisprovidedontherequirementsoftheaccessibilitystandardsreferredtointhisRegulationandontheHumanRightsCodeasitpertainstopersonswithdisabilities…

Notincompliance • Developaseriesofonlinetrainingmodulesthatwillbemadeavailabletoallstaff,facultyandvolunteersonAvenuetoLearn

Trainingforeducatorss.16(1)I…shallprovideeducatorswithaccessibilityawarenesstrainingrelatedtoaccessibleprogramorcoursedeliveryandinstruction.

Notincompliance • OneyearcontractpositioninMIIETLtodeveloptrainingresourcesandfacilitatetraininggearedtowardsfaculty

Accessiblewebsitesandwebcontents.14(2)…shallmaketheirinternetwebsitesandwebcontentconformwiththeWorldWideWebConsortiumWebContent

Currentlynotincompliance-UTShasdevelopedWCAGonlinecoursewhichneedscompleting

• WebAccessibilityConsultantcontractpositiontoleadtheinfrastructuralchangetowardsfullyaccessiblewebsitesandwebcontentandtosupportthestaff,facultyandstudentensureaccessiblewebsites

• Finalizationofonlinewebcourseandpromotionthroughoutthecampus


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AccessibilityGuidelines(WCAG)2.0,initiallyatLevelAandincreasingtoLevelAA

community• Developmentofatool

whichincorporatesaccessibilityconsiderationsutilizingUTSWebaccessibilitychecklist

Educationalandtrainingresourcesandmaterials,etc.s.15(1)…provideeducationalortrainingresourcesormaterialsinanaccessibleformat

Incompliance • LibraryhasanAccessibilityServicesdepartmentwhohandlesaccessibility/accommodationrequestforeducationalandtrainingmaterials

Producersofeducationalortrainingmaterial-s.17(1)…thatisaproducerofprint-basededucationalortrainingsupplementarylearningresourcesforeducationalortrainingshalluponrequestmakeaccessibleorconversionreadyversions…

Notincompliance **?


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EmploymentStandards

Incompliancewithallstandardsthatpertaintolargepublicsectororganizations.

KEY:

NotincomplianceApproachingcomplianceIncompliance


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8. AppendixB:McMasterAccessibilityCouncil(MAC)Termsof

Reference

McMaster Accessibility Council and its Members are responsible for ensuring the

University’s adherence to AODA Accessibility Standards. The Council provides a

mechanism for planning, reviewing and evaluating the implementation of the

AODA Accessibility Standards within the University.

RESPONSIBILITIES 1. To guide the development of plans for the implementation of the AODA

Accessibility Standards at the University.

2. To receive plans and reports related to the implementation of AODA

Accessibility Standards from the appropriate University personnel and

committees.

3. To make recommendations to the University regarding policies and

institutional changes required to ensure adherence to the AODA Accessibility

Standards.

4. To monitor the progress of AODA Accessibility Standards implementation

across the University.

5. To oversee the filing of the required accessibility reports to the Ontario

government regarding the University’s compliance with AODA.

ACCOUNTABILITY The Council will report to the President through the Provost & Vice-President

(Academic) and the Vice-President (Administration). The Council will prepare an

annual report of its activities. The Terms of Reference will be reviewed every five

years.


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MEMBERSHIP Membership of the Council will be reviewed periodically to ensure that all areas of

the University are appropriately represented. Membership on the Council is made

up of senior officers of the University who are accountable for decisions made at

the Council. From time to time, members of the Council may send a delegate if

they are unable to attend a meeting.

The committee will be chaired by a member of McMaster’s faculty

or staff, appointed for a three-year term by the President, upon the

recommendation of the Provost & Vice-President (Academic) and

the Vice-President (Administration).

QUORAM Three senior officers (or designates who have been given authority) are required to

vote on a motion to bind the University. In addition, where there is a vote binding

another department, the Council member of that particular department must be

present at the meeting.

MEMBERS Associate Vice-President (Teaching & Learning) Associate

Vice-President (Faculty)

Associate Vice-President (Students & Learning) and Dean of Students

Assistant Vice-President and Chief Facilities Officer

Chief Human Resources Officer

• Executive Director, Human Resources (HR designate)

Chief Information Officer


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• Manager, Client Services (UTS designate) Director

Human Rights & Equity Services Director, Public & Community Relations

Vice-President (Education), McMaster Students Union

CONSULTANTS Manager, Employee Health Services

Accessibility Specialist, HRES

Manager, Student Accessibility Services

MEETINGS A schedule of meetings will be developed based on an annual planning cycle of

issues/topics for the agenda.

Approved March 29, 2012

Revised April 21, 2014

Revised October 22, 2014

Revised April 2, 2015

Revised August 26, 2015

mcmaster accessibility council 2014-2015 annual …...mcmaster accessibility council - sixth year...

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