43 Digital and Website Accessibility
MySAS Portal Improvements for Graduate Accommodations
With the successful launch of the MySAS portal in 2024, Student Accessibility Services (SAS) continues to work with the School of Graduate Studies to improve access to information and service delivery for graduate accommodations. Additionally, the project team met to review areas for improvement following the portal’s launch. The team focuses on clear communication, process management, and process consolidation to enhance service delivery and cost efficiency.
Contributors: Student Accessibility Services (Mei-Ju Shih, Roksana Sobota, Sherry Beduk, Kyle Faiczak, Anup Samuel, Claudia Alonso Cantú, Mei Ting Hwang), School of Graduate Studies (Melanie Health)
MySAS Portal Post-Launch Review and Improvements
The project team came together to review areas for improvement following the launch of the MySAS portal. The team focuses on clear communication, process management, and process consolidation to enhance service delivery and improve cost efficiency.
Contributors: Student Accessibility Services (Mei-Ju Shih, Anup Samuel, Kyle Faiczak, Claudia Alonso Cantú, Mei Ting Hwang)
Student Affairs Website Redevelopment Projects
In the 2024–2025 academic year, Student Affairs completed several web redevelopment projects that prioritized accessibility and improved user experience through enhanced features, content, and navigation. This work resulted in updated websites for the following areas:
- Student Affairs (January 2025)
- Indigenous Student Services (March 2025)
- Athletics & Recreation (May 2025)
These projects were completed through a partnership among Student Affairs Marketing, Communications and Community Engagement, and the Student Affairs Tech Team, in close collaboration with the respective departments and subject-matter experts.
Web Links:
Contributors: Student Affairs: Marketing, Communications and Community Engagement and Student Affairs Tech Team (Jacqueline Hampshire, Chrissy Doolittle, Keenan Jeppesen, Trish Chant-Sehl, Mike Sowerby, Jeffrey Low, Hussein Mukri, Anas Hussein, Elizabeth DiEmanuele, Emily Faubert, Rebecca Seles, Jay Barlett)
Web Accessibility Compliance and Sustained AODA Implementation
During 2024–2025, the Equity and Inclusion Office and University Technology Services continued their collaboration with campus partners to sustain McMaster University’s web accessibility compliance under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This period focused on strengthening a sustainable, campus‑wide approach to maintaining accessible institutional websites. Web accessibility was further embedded within McMaster’s Web Strategy 2.0, supported by standardized practices and ongoing reporting mechanisms. A key area of progress was the expansion of manual web accessibility testing to complement automated tools. Institutional website owners were supported through training, documentation, and consultations to identify and address accessibility issues not captured through automated scans alone. Continued communication, centralized resources, and hands‑on support reinforced accessibility as a shared institutional responsibility and helped ensure long‑term compliance across McMaster’s core institutional websites.
Contributors: University Technology Services (Gayleen Gray)
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