42 Community Building and Engagement at McMaster
Accessibility in McMaster’s Outdoor Recreation
Within McMaster’s climbing programming, we have several pieces of adaptive equipment that can be used to support different accessibility requirements while climbing, such as the 4-1 pulley, kite harnesses, and so much more. Additionally, all of our team building and low challenge programming includes many activities that have a wide range of adaptations to best fit the needs of the group. We have also run inclusive programming, such as an Accessibility Showcase Day, as well as partnering with groups that promote accessibility and inclusion, such as Campfire Circle. We also ensure to keep these items readily available so that we can always be an inclusive and accessible space for everyone.
Contributors: McMaster Outdoor Recreation (Wayne Terryberry, Carling Clayton, Kailyn Reny, Natalie Thorne)
Inclusive Employment Partnerships in Athletics and Recreation
Started through a collaborative partnership between McMaster University Athletics & Recreation at the David Braley Athletic Centre (DBAC) and The Salvation Army Lawson Ministries, this initiative creates ongoing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and others. It builds on inclusive programs that promote skill development, recreation, and community engagement. Participants gain meaningful work experience within athletics and recreation settings, supporting daily operations while developing transferable skills, independence, and confidence. The program has since been integrated into internal operations, with some individuals continuing to be supervised by Lawson Ministries. This remains a valuable initiative, as it provides individuals with disabilities the opportunities for meaningful employment, self-actualization, and personal growth, while also offering important learning experiences for student staff who work alongside them.
Contributors: Athletics & Recreation (T.J. Kelly, Brad Haalboom, Lee-Anne Wilson)
MacPlay: Building Confidence through Inclusive Physical Activity
MacPlay is a community-based program that provides an inclusive space for youth with disabilities to engage in physical activity. The program offers adaptive, engaging sessions that support participants in building confidence, developing fundamental movement skills, and fostering a lifelong connection to physical activity. Led by trained staff and students, MacPlay emphasizes accessibility, fun, and individualized support for children of all abilities. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, the program promotes social interaction, skill development, and positive experiences with movement for youth and their families.
Contributors: Athletics & Recreation (Trish Chant-Sehl, Wayne Terryberry, T.J. Kelly)
McMaster’s United Way Campaign
Every day, United Way Golden Horseshoe has a profound impact on our community by ensuring an essential network of programs and services work together to achieve lasting, positive change. The United Way Campaign encourages McMaster’s continual growth through community engagement. McMaster’s United Way Campaign is a reflection of this approach as it allows McMaster staff, faculty, and students to strengthen their relationship with the surrounding community. In this period, McMaster University raised over $230,000 in the United Way Campaign, which will go towards supporting community programs.
Contributors: Human Resources Services, Workplace Health and Well-being Team
Student, Staff and Scholars Stimulating Equity (S4E) Microgrant
In 2023, the Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Program (EIAOP) launched the inaugural S4E Microgrant program to provide funding for initiatives, research, and events that advance equity across campus. During the 2024–2025 cycle, two funded projects focused on advancing accessibility. Through the Gifted and Black Research Microgrant, Jordan Lentinello led a research project entitled Brains, Barriers and Black Women: Cracking the Code to Grad School, examining the experiences of Black women with neurodevelopmental disorders in higher education. The study explored the “pre-diagnosis” phase and how these experiences influence decision-making around applying to graduate school. Grant funding supported participant honoraria. The EDIA Community Event Microgrant also supported a film screening of Soop on Wheels, a documentary on Everett Soop, an Indigenous political cartoonist who lived with muscular dystrophy. The event was organized by the Faculty of Science in partnership with the Indigenous Education Council and the Accessibility Program, with funds used to support event logistics.
Contributors: Equity and Inclusion Office
Supporting Accessible Fitness Through the ADAPT Program
The Adults with Disabilities Assisted Physical Training (ADAPT) Program at The Pulse Fitness Centre is a personalized, one-on-one fitness initiative designed to support individuals with disabilities in achieving their health and wellness goals. Participants are paired with trained student volunteers who provide guidance and assistance during workouts, tailored to their unique needs and abilities. The program focuses on improving physical and mental well-being while minimizing barriers to exercise by fostering an inclusive and supportive gym environment. Through adaptive techniques and individualized support, ADAPT empowers participants to build confidence, stay active, and engage in safe, effective physical activity.
Contributors: Athletics & Recreation (Lee-Anne Wilson, student volunteers)
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