40 Accessibility Policies, Plans, and Committees
AODA 2025 Compliance Report and Environmental Scan
In preparation for the province’s December 31, 2025, biennial Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compliance reporting, the McMaster Accessibility Advisory Council, in coordination with the AccessMac Program, launched the 3rd AODA Compliance Environmental Scan Survey in June 2025, using a new data collection process. To increase efficiency and sustainability, the EIO partnered with McMaster’s Institutional Research and Analysis Office to create a more systematic and accessible data collection process. An online AODA Environmental Scan Survey was developed and administered to reporting units across the University in June 2025. By August 2025, all units had responded. In total, 12 central units and 14 sub-units at the University directly responded to the survey, with an additional 25 sub-units reporting from FHS. To display and organize survey results, Power BI and SharePoint are being used to create customized spaces for each reporting unit. All data from this Environmental Scan informed the completion of the 2025 AODA Accessibility Compliance Report, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility by December 31, 2025.
Contributors: Equity and Inclusion Office and the McMaster Accessibility Advisory Council
Improvement of the Individualized Emergency Response Plan for Employees
In collaboration with University Health and Safety (UHS), the Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office (FHSSO) and Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO), the Individual Emergency Response Plan Process was reviewed, enhanced, and re-launched in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and to better serve individual safety needs. To support an inclusive and accessible response in an emergency, McMaster University has established the “Individual Emergency Response Plan”. This plan can be requested by employees and faculty, and a similar process can be requested by students in residence on campus. Individuals requiring any type of accessibility support are encouraged to request an individual plan, so the University is aware of their requirements and can best support them in an emergency. This plan can be established during an individual’s accommodation process, although it can be requested at any time. The Individual Emergency Response Plan is completed by the individual in collaboration with University Health and Safety or the Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office and may involve input from their manager at the individual’s preference.
Contributors: Equity and Inclusion Office, University Health and Safety, Faculty of Health Sciences Safety Office
McMaster’s EDIA Strategic Plan 2025-2028
McMaster’s EDIA Strategic Plan 2025-2028 takes an intersectional and integrated approach to accessibility and disability inclusion, identifying accessible and inclusive curriculum, accessible academic services and resources, and the need to expand disability inclusion as core areas of action while also integrating an accessibility and disability inclusion lens through all other areas of action. The areas of action were developed through comprehensive consultation across the University, including focused sessions with the Employee Accessibility Network.
Contributors: Equity and Inclusion Office
McMaster’s forthcoming Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Strategic Framework and Action Plan
To accelerate progress and set strategic direction on accessibility and disability inclusion at McMaster, the Equity and Inclusion Office began the process during this period to develop a comprehensive Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Strategic Framework and Action Plan. This new Plan will outline both strategic priorities and incorporate practical operational goals and planned deliverables. The Plan will include the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, which is a compliance requirement under the AODA. To ensure a new Plan is effectively developed, a (sub) working group of the McMaster Accessibility Advisory Council was developed as the Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Strategic Plan Advisory Group. To ensure the next Plan reflects the needs and perspectives of the McMaster community, consultations will be held, prioritizing the perspectives of persons with disabilities, and extensive document analysis is in progress. The Plan is expected to be completed in 2026.
Contributors: Equity and Inclusion Office and the McMaster Accessibility Advisory Council
Roll out of McMaster’s Renewed Accessibility Policy
Following the launch of the renewed McMaster Accessibility Policy in June 2024, dissemination activities were carried out, including 6 information sessions for the McMaster community, and a training module has also been developed on Avenue to Learn and embedded within the existing AODA and Human Rights Code mandatory training course. For units and union groups that required in person trainings, AccessMac supported Managers in these areas to provide sessions with their staff teams. The renewed Policy has been published on the Secretariat’s website (in 3 different accessible formats), the Accessibility Hub, and has been widely shared with the community. Beyond awareness raising, the Equity and Inclusion Office will continue to use this Policy to support and guide accessibility on campus, including through consultations and complaint resolutions.
Contributors: Equity and Inclusion Office
Updates on Retroactive Accommodation Process
In response to Ombuds reports, the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) team worked with Assistant Deans from April to August 2025 to consult and collaborate on updating the definition and process for retroactive accommodations. This project aims to provide clarity on retroactive accommodations to foster equity and consistency in policy administration and service delivery. It also enhances collaboration between Faculty offices and SAS in the referral and decision-making process.
Contributors: Student Accessibility Services (Mei-Ju Shih, Jade Gilbert, Victoria Kren, Program Coordinator)
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