McMaster Accessibility Council (MAC) Annual Report

HighlightsOctober, 2013

About MAC

The Council was established in 2009 as a response to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

It consists of senior managers or their designate

The Council is to provide “a mechanism for planning, reviewing and evaluating the implementation of the AODA Accessibility Standards within the University

The Council serves as the governing body for accessibility issues on campus

The Council provides a report to the President of its activities and compliance achievement on an annual basis.

McMaster Accessibility Policies

In its first year of operation, MAC developed the McMaster University Policy on Accessibility. This policy can be found: http://www.mcmaster.ca/policy/General/HR/Accessibility.pdf

Included in this policy are guidelines for Availability of Assistive Devices

Use of Service Animals and Support Workers

Notice of Temporary Disruption in Service

Notice of File Review

In late 2012 McMaster received a Notice of File Review from the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO), Ministry of Community and Social Service

The ADO was satisfied with the review however, they made the following recommendations:

1. McMaster amend its accessibility policy to specifically identify who is to be trained, the content of the training and when training is to be provided as required by the Customer Service Standard, Ontario Regulation 429/07.

2. McMaster add a reference regarding the availability of information/documentation in accessible formats on Its website similar to the message posted on the Emergency Guidebook site.

Accessibility Website

The Accessibility Community of Practice working group and HRES hired a short term contract worker to finalize the website

The website is set to soft launch by the end of October 2013

The site will house information and resources connected disability-related accessibility at McMaster, including online training, resources to support the facilitation of accessibility at McMaster and the removal of barriers for Faculty, staff, students and visitors to McMaster university.

Implementation of Customer Service Standard

Since its availability in February 2010 over 17,000 employees, volunteers and contractors acting on behalf of McMaster has completed the Customer Service training at least once.

We are currently in the process of updating the training to make it relevant for the current McMaster environment

Implementation of the Integrated Accessibility Standards (IASR)

This standard is comprised of four standards: Communication & Information Standards

Employment Standards

Transportation Standards

Design of Public Space

There are a number of rolling dates linked to this standard.

Implementation of the IASR

McMaster has created a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan for 2012-2025, updated and posted annually. The plan is approved by MAC and is currently available on the McMaster Accessibility Website: www.mcmaster.ca/accessibility.

The IASR calls for universities and colleges to provide training to its instructors on accessible course delivery and instructional design. This training is currently facilitated via a partnership between the McMaster Institute for Innovation and Excellence in Teaching and Learning (MIETL) and the Office of Human Rights & Equity Services (HRES).

Additional MAC Activities

The construction of the L.R. Wilson Hall building, located on the main McMaster campus will begin in October 2013. The building will comply with AODA Built Environment Standards as well as existing Ontario Building Code Regulations.

In April 2012, Facilities Services engaged in an audit of the McMaster campus to assess its level of accessibility.

The audit helped inform the Campus Accessibility Action Plan (CAAP). A five year plan of priorities to making the university more physically accessible. To review the audit in greater detail please visit the Facilities Services website at: http://ppims.services.mcmaster.ca/pplant/index.html

Upcoming Initiatives

As the McMaster Accessibility Council enters its fourth year of operation, it will continue : the implementation of the Customer Service and Integrated

Accessibility Standards of the AODA.

ensure that the existing Accessibility Policy, which was originally developed to address the Customer Service standard, is revised as necessary to meet the requirements of the IASR

continue in its oversight function to determine priorities for accessibility-related capital projects

Thank you