33 Accessibility Policies, Plans, and Committees

In 2023, an Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA) Compliance Environmental Scan was conducted across the University’s central units and departments. Data from this scan informed the successful completion of the 2023 AODA Accessibility Compliance Report, which was submitted to the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility on December 15, 2023. Additionally, the data collected, and analysis of the Environmental scan helped to identify gaps in compliance and areas needing improvements, which resulted in rigorous follow-up with relevant University partners and departments to come into compliance, along with the creation of new resources (available on the resource page of the Accessibility Hub).

Contributors: AccessMac, Equity and Inclusion Office, and McMaster’s Accessibility Advisory Council  

During this period to stay current with the AODA’s Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations (IASR), as required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the McMaster University Accessibility Policy was formally reviewed and approved by the Senate and Board of Governances by June 2024. The extensive review and revision process was overseen by a committee of individuals, including the Equity and Inclusion Office’s Accessibility Program Manager, the Senior Director of Human Rights and Accessibility, and the Chair of the McMaster Accessibility Advisory Council (MAAC). The redrafting process included an extensive consultative component with the University’s community, including but not limited to consultations with 13 committees and / or campus community groups, plus in-depth reviews with 6 responsible central units. The Accessibility Policy has been drastically updated and offers a roadmap for operationalizing legislative compliance under the AODA within the University, strategically depicting the centralized and distributed responsibilities.

Contributors: AccessMac, Equity and Inclusion Office, and McMaster’s Accessibility Advisory Council 

Throughout spring-fall 2024, the Accessibility in Teaching and Learning Roadmap Team, under the Office of the Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning), led five collaborative sessions to assess and prepare McMaster for the emerging AODA Post-secondary Standard via the 185 AODA Postsecondary Education (PSE) recommendations. Approximately 110 were identified as relevant to the university. Approximately 23 participants from academic and student support units contributed over 20 hours analyzing these recommendations across eight identified barrier areas, including digital learning, curriculum, training, and infrastructure. This highly collaborative process emphasized systemic gaps and collective responsibility over individual accountability. Around 60 recommendations aligned with the teaching and learning mandate of the Office of the Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning). Participants mapped current processes, surfaced institutional gaps, and identified opportunities for collaboration, policy updates, and infrastructure improvements. The initiative fostered cross-unit dialogue, mutual learning, and a broader understanding of McMaster’s accessibility and accommodation journeys, from early course design to service delivery. Insights and outcomes of these activities reinforced the value of shared leadership in accessibility and the importance of evolving, iterative tools to support long-term change.

Contributors: The Accessibility in Teaching and Learning Project Team, Office of the Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning 

During the 2023 and 2024 period, through a partnership between University Health and Safety, the Equity and Inclusion Office, Employee Health and Well-being, and Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office, McMaster University’s Individual Emergency Response Plan was reviewed and updated. A streamlined approach and process have been developed to ensure employees (especially persons with disabilities) requiring support in an emergency is documented, in accordance with the Accessibilities of Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Section 27, but also a critical lifesaving precautionary practice. The purpose of this written plan is to assist employees, Campus Safety Services and first responders in the event of an emergency. This initiative reflects the University’s commitment to creating progressive, accessible, inclusive and equitable emergency response processes. Additional information is available on the Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness webpage.

Contributors: Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office (Adam Palmer); Employee Health and Well-Being (Monica Poulin); University Health and Safety (Dane DeMan, Stacie Cameron); Equity and Inclusion Office (Paula Hearn, Patricia Suleiman) 

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