34 Community Building and Engagement at McMaster

December 3rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2023 (IDPD)

AccessMac hosted 13 events across three weeks to promote inclusion at McMaster, with five organized by AccessMac itself. Key events included the 6th annual “Disability Discussion,” which explored disability pride and resilience post-COVID. This discussion, alongside others like a guided tour at the McMaster Museum of Art, aimed to strengthen community bonds and celebrate disabled experiences. The events also addressed the evolution of accessibility at McMaster, showcasing the university’s history and future direction. With 40 participants across AccessMac’s five events, including students, staff, and faculty, the Disability Discussion sparked conversations and connections, leading to new collaborations. A digital accessibility webinar provided insights on improving online spaces, with feedback suggesting the importance of offering flexible participation methods. These events helped amplify the significance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, emphasizing inclusivity and raising awareness about the ongoing efforts to create a more accessible world. 

Contributors: Equity and Inclusion Office, AccessMac Program (Paula Hearn, Nusrat Mir) 

Embracing Intersections: Blackness and Disability

The Black Student Success Centre partnered with the ASE Community Foundation for Black Canadians with disabilities to run an event called Embracing Intersections: Blackness and Disability. In this intimate conversation, Liza Arnason and Nkem Ogbonna shared reflections about studying, living and working with disability and the work they have done to cultivate access for all through education and awareness, collaborative knowledge sharing, research and policy, and youth empowerment anchored in a national Black Accessibility Knowledge Hub. This panel-styled event featured important conversations about critically advancing supports for Black students with accessibility requirements leveraging ancestral and collective wisdom. 

Contributors: Black Student Success Centre (Faith Ogunkoya, Clare Warner, Jordan Lentinello, Toluwalase Dayo-Olaide) 

Student Services Community and Campus Volunteering

Our team volunteered at various McMaster and community events, including but not limited to: supporting low-income Hamilton communities through programs like Pathways to Education, assisting students in navigating the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) application process; we also contributed to Convocation, an event which is organized by the Registrar’s Office, prioritizing accessibility and disability inclusion through best practices related to event layout, seating, mobility, and providing multiple ways to participate.

Contributors: Student Services (Leanne Ruiz, Natasha Mehta)