7 Student Initiatives
Dis/orientation: Navigating Accessibility in Teaching and Learning
Disabled students have made vital contributions to education at McMaster University, resulting in greater accessibility and disability inclusion in the classroom, curricula, and on campus. This project involved the curation of a (maga)“zine” entitled Dis/orientation: Navigating Accessibility in Teaching and Learning that centres the lived experiences of 20+ disabled students and alumni from McMaster University through contributions of poetry, art, stories, and reflections. We are very passionate about improving accessibility in education and feel that one of the best ways to achieve tangible change is to provide a safe space for sharing the thoughts and opinions of disabled, neurodivergent, and Mad students whose learning is the most affected by accessibility barriers.
To contribute a piece to the zine, contact McMaster Disability Zine Team.
Contributors: McMaster Disability Zine Team (MacPherson Institute & Equity and Inclusion Office) and Zine Contributors
MSU Maccess’s 1st Annual Disability Pride Week at McMaster
Maccess is a peer support, community building, and advocacy organization run both by and for students that fall under the umbrella of Disability Justice and experience disability, madness, mental health concerns, chronic pain, or other forms of inaccessibility and ableism. We launched our Disability Pride Week during March 22-26, 2021, deviating from MSU Maccess‘ past Disability Visibility Weeks by shifting the focus from awareness of disability to celebration, which included eleven events designed to celebrate disabled people’s unique perspectives, skills, and strengths. The events highlighted the pride we have in our community, resilience, adaptability, and creative problem-solving. Events included a space for disabled Black, Indigenous, Persons Of Colour (BIPOC) joy; an accessible movement workshop; a speaker sharing about sex, disability, and remote sexuality; a live interview with a disabled social media influencer; a workshop and Q&A about applying for the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP); a tea party to celebrate madness and neurodivergence; a meet and greet with former disabled McMaster students; an art and discussion session related to disability and queerness; and a movie screening about the beginnings of the Disability Rights Movement.
Contributors: MSU Maccess
