McMasterAccessibilityCouncil
2014-2015AnnualReport
DATE: October2015
SUBJECT: McMasterAccessibilityCouncil–2014-2015AnnualReport
TO: PatrickDeane,President
DavidWilkinson,ProvostandVicePresident(Academic)
RogerCouldrey,Vice-President(Administration)
FROM: AnnePottier,AssociateUniversityLibrarian,LibraryServicesandChairof
McMasterAccessibilityCouncil(MAC
Pleasefindenclosed,foryourreview,thesixthannualreportfromtheMcMaster
AccessibilityCouncil(MAC).
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TableofContents
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................... 4
2. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND ..................................................................... 5
A) ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (AODA) 2005 .................... 5
B) MCMASTER ACCESSIBILITY COUNCIL (MAC) .......................................................... 6
3. COMPLIANCE MEASURES .................................................................................. 6
A) CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARD ............................................................................ 6
i. Accessible Customer Service Training ............................................................ 6
ii. Establishment of policies, practices and procedures ...................................... 7
C) INTEGRATED ACCESSIBILITY STANDARD REGULATION (IASR) .................................. 8
iii. Accessible Websites and Web Content ......................................................... 8
iv. Procurement ................................................................................................. 10
v. Employment ................................................................................................... 10
vi. Design of Public Spaces ............................................................................... 11
4. ACCESSIBILITY ACHIEVEMENTS – 2014/2015 ............................................... 12
A) PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY .................................................................................... 12
i. Accessibility Upgrades by Facility Services ................................................... 12
ii. Integrated Science Lab ................................................................................. 13
B) MCMASTER LIBRARY .......................................................................................... 14
i. Updated Library Accessibility Features .......................................................... 14
C) MCMASTER INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATION & EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING & LEARNING
(MIIETL) .................................................................................................................. 15
D) STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES (SAS) ........................................................... 16
E) HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUITY SERVICES (HRES) ...................................................... 16
F) MCMASTER STUDENT UNION (MSU) .................................................................... 16
ii. MSU Accessibility Campaign ........................................................................ 17
iii. MSU Abilities Service ................................................................................... 17
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iv. MSU Clubs ................................................................................................... 17
G) MOSAIC .............................................................................................................. 17
H) SNOW REMOVAL ................................................................................................. 18
I) MCMASTER.CA WEBSITE ...................................................................................... 18
J) OTHER ACCESSIBILITY ACTIVITIES ........................................................................ 18
5. ACCESSIBILITY PRIORITIES FOR 2015/2016 .................................................. 19
6. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 19
7. APPENDIX A: AODA SCORECARD .................................................................. 21
8. APPENDIX B: MCMASTER ACCESSIBILITY COUNCIL (MAC) TERMS OF REFERENCE ............................................................................................................. 25
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1. ExecutiveSummaryThissixthannualreporthighlightstheaccessibilityachievementsaccomplishedin2014-
2015andidentifiesaccessibilityprioritiesfor2015-2016.TheMcMasterAccessibility
Council(MAC)continuesprovidingleadershiponaccessibilityissuesacrosscampusasit
overseestheUniversity’scomplianceobligationsaspertheAccessibilityforOntarianswith
DisabilitiesAct(AODA),2005.
McMasterhasmadegreatstridesinitseffortstobuildacultureofaccessibility.Thenew
IntegratedSciencelablocatedonthegroundflooroftheGeneralSciencesbuildingisthe
firstlaboncampusdesignedwithaccessibilityinmindandisanexampleofthetypeof
proactiveeffortsonaccessibilitythatareevidentacrosstheUniversity.Upgradestothe
builtenvironmentareongoingandareledbyFacilityServices.TheMcMasterStudent
Union(MSU)havetakenactivemeasurestoadvanceaccessibilityforstudentsoncampus
andhaveimplementedanMSUAccessibilityPolicywhichseekstoacknowledgeand
addressthelivedexperienceofstudentswithdisabilitiesoncampus.Enhancingthe
studentexperiencethroughaccessibleteachingandlearningpracticesisakeyfocusof
McMasterInstitutionforInnovation&ExcellenceinTeaching&Learning(MIIETL).Using
educationalprogramsandthedevelopmentofinstructionaltoolsforfacultyand
instructors,MIIETLispavingthewayformoreaccessiblemodesofteachingandlearning
atMcMaster.
Aswemoveintothenewacademicyear,2015/2016,MAChasidentifiedseveral
accessibilityprioritiesthatwillsetthecourseforcontinuedadvancementonaccessibility
issues.RevisingandupdatingtheMcMasterAccessibilityPolicyandtheAODACustomer
ServiceTrainingModulewillensureourinternalpolicyinitiativesareinlinewithcurrent
regulationsundertheAODA.TherolloutofaUniversitywidesolutionfortheweb
accessibilitystandardsoftheAODAwillensureMcMasterismaintainingitscompliance
obligationsandthedevelopmentofnewresourcesandtoolsforinstructorsandeducators
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onaccessibleteachingstrategies,programsandmethodologieswillprovidetherequisite
supportstofullyintegrateaccessibilityintoourteachingandlearningpractices.
2. Introduction&BackgroundTheMcMasterAccessibilityCouncil(MAC)isrequiredtosubmitanannualreporttothe
President,aspertheMACTermsofReference,throughtheProvost&Vice-President
(Academic)andtheVice-President(Administration).Thisreporthighlightstheaccessibility
accomplishmentsfromacrosstheUniversityin2014/2015andsetsthecoursefor
accessibilityprioritiesfor2015/2016.
a) AccessibilityforOntarianswithDisabilitiesAct(AODA)2005In2005,theprovincialgovernmentofOntarioenactedtheAccessibilityforOntarianswith
DisabilitiesAct,(AODA)withthegoalofmakingOntariofullyaccessibletopersonswith
disabilitiesby2025.
Figure1:AODAStandards
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TheAODAestablishesanumberofstandardsandregulationstoensureaccessibilityis
beingimplementedaccordingtothelegislativerequirements.Thesestandardsconsistof
theCustomerServiceStandardandtheIntegratedAccessibilityStandard,whichincludes
Information&Communication,Transportation,EmploymentandtheDesignofPublic
Spaces.Eachstandardsetsoutspecificcompliancerequirementswithrollingcompliance
dates.AcompliancescorecardforMcMasterUniversitycanbefoundinAppendixA.
b) McMasterAccessibilityCouncil(MAC)
MACensuresMcMaster’scompliancewiththeAODA.WhentheAODAwasenacted,
McMasterrecognizedthattoeffectivelyadvanceaccessibilityandtoensurecompliance
withtheAODA,thisworkneededtobespearheadedbyseniormembersoftheUniversity
administration.MACwassubsequentlycreatedinthesummerof2009consistingof
AssistantVice-PresidentsandseniordirectorsfromacrosssectionoftheUniversity.The
Councilmeetsregularlythroughouttheacademicyear.AfullmembershiplistandTermsof
ReferencecanbefoundinAppendixB.
3. ComplianceMeasures
a) CustomerServiceStandard
TheCustomerServiceStandardisintendedtoensurethatpersonswithdisabilitiescan
accessgoodsorserviceswithoutencounteringbarriers.Thisstandardhasarangeof
compliancerequirements,whicharedetailedbelow.
i. AccessibleCustomerServiceTraining
Everypersonintheorganizationwhodealswithmembersofthepublicorparticipatesin
thedevelopmentofpolicies,practicesandproceduresthatgoverntheprovisionofgoods
orservicestomembersofthepublicarerequiredtotakethistraining.
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TheMcMasterAODACustomerServiceTrainingisprovidedonlineviatheMcMaster
Accessibilitywebsite.Forthosewhodonothaveaccesstoacomputer,theAccessibility
SpecialistfromtheOfficeofHumanRights&EquityServicesand/ortheManagerof
EmployeeHealthServicesfromHumanResourcesServicescanprovidein-persontraining.
AsofAugust2015,whichistheendofthe2014/2015academicyear,atotalof25,887
staff,studentleadersandinstructorsacrosscampuscompletedthetraining.Customer
ServiceTrainingremainsanongoingrequirementforallnewemployees,Teaching
Assistants(TA’s),instructors,andvolunteersofMcMaster.Communicationrelatedtothe
trainingandotheraccessibilityrelatedissuesaredirectedtotheAODAinboxat:
i. UpdatingtheTrainingModule
TheonlineCustomerServiceTraininghasbeeninplacesince2010.Enactmentofthe
IntegratedAccessibilityStandardaswellasotherMcMasterspecificchangesrequirethe
trainingmoduletoberevisedandupdatedtobetterreflectthechangesthathavetaken
placeoverthepast5years.Thestructureofmodulesandthelengthofthetrainingneed
tobeamendedtoprovideforamorerobusttrainingmodule.Thisprojectwillrequire
consultationwithsubjectmatterexpertsacrosscampusandwillbeundertakeninthe
2015/2016academicyear.
ii. Establishmentofpolicies,practicesandprocedures
TheCustomerServiceStandardrequiresthatorganizationsestablishespolices,practices
andproceduresthatgoverntheprovisionofitsgoodandservicestopersonswith
disabilitiesandshouldincludeinformationontheuseofserviceanimalsandsupport
persons,noticeoftemporarydisruptions,feedbackprocessforprovidersofgoodsor
services,andnoticeofavailabilityofdocuments.
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TheUniversity’sBoardofGovernorspassedtheMcMasterAccessibilityPolicyinMarch
2010.ThepolicydetailstheUniversity’sdedicationtocreatingafullyaccessible
environment,andprovidesguidelinesonhowtooperationalizespecificaccessibility
processes.
Since2010,theAODA’sIntegratedAccessibilityStandardshavebeeninforceandincludea
numberofnewcompliancerequirementsintheareasofInformation&Communication,
Employment,TransportationandtheDesignofPublicSpaces.Inordertoaccuratelyreflect
theUniversity’scommitmenttothesenewstandards,areviewofthePolicyisrequired,
anditisanticipatedthatthisprocesswillunfoldduringthe2015/2016academicyear.
c) IntegratedAccessibilityStandardRegulation(IASR)EffectiveJuly1,2011,theprovincialgovernmentenactedtheIntegratedAccessibility
StandardsRegulation(IASR).TheIASRsetsstandardsfor:
• Information&Communications
• Employment
• Transportationand
• DesignofPublicSpaces
Thecompliancedatesarestaggeredandallowforgradualimplementationoverseveral
years.
iii. AccessibleWebsitesandWebContent
Section14oftheInformation&CommunicationStandardrequireslargepublicsector
institutionsto;
“…maketheirinternetwebsitesandwebcontentconformwiththeWorldWideWeb
ConsortiumWebContentAccessibilityGuidelines(WCAG)2.0,initiallyatLevelAand
increasingtoLevelAA…”
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ThecomplianceschedulerequiresadherencewiththissectionbyJanuary1,2014fornew
internetwebsitesandwebcontentatWCAG2.0LevelAandJanuary1,2021forall
internetwebsiteandwebcontentWCAG2.0LevelAA(withsomelimitedexceptions).
McMaster’sonlinepresenceisdecentralizedwithnumerouswebsitesandwebpages
undertheMcMasternamebuthostedandmanagedbyvariousdepartmentsacross
campus.Thisposessignificantchallengeswhenimplementinguniversity-wideweb
accessibilitystandards.Despitethechallenge,worktoadvancecompliancewiththis
sectionhasbeguninearnest.
ii. ClosedCaptioningWorkingGroup(CCWG)
Oneoftherequirementsforwebaccessibilityisforallmediatobeclosed-captioned.
Whilesomedepartmentsandofficesacrosscampusalreadyincludethisintheirmedia
production,manyareunawareoftherequirementand/orareunawareofbestpracticesor
reasonablethird-partyvendorsavailabletothem.TheCCWGbroughttogetherover20
representativesfromacrosstheUniversitytoidentifythespecificchallengesthatthe
campusfacesincomplyingwiththisrequirementtodevelopaworkableuniversity-wide
solutionthatcanberolledoutassoonaspossible.
iii. WebAccessibilityAdvisoryGroup(WAAG)
Inthewinterof2015,MACreceivedapprovalfromthebudgetcommitteetohireaWeb
AccessibilitySpecialistona12-monthcontracttotrainandprovideleadershiptoward
makingMcMasterwebsitesandwebcontentaccessibleinresponsetoitscompliance
obligations.Theadvisorygroupwasestablishedtoensurethattheoverallstrategyto
ensureuniversitywidecomplianceisrealistic,sustainableandutilizes(orborrow)the
expertiseandknowledgealreadyavailableatMcMaster.Thegroupwillcontinuetomeet
in2015/2016andwillprovideoversightandwillactinanadvisorycapacitytotheWeb
AccessibilitySpecialistforthedurationofthecontract.
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iv. WebAccessibilityCourse
UniversityTechnologyServices(UTS)recentlycompletedaWebAccessibilityCoursewhich
istoolisintendedtohelpwebadministratorsdifferentiatebetweenaccessibleand
inaccessiblecontentandtoidentitywhatstepstotaketomakethecontentcompliant
withwebaccessibilitystandards.Thistoolwillprovideadditionaltoolstodepartmentand
facultywebadministratorsinhelpingthemadheretowebaccessibilitystandards.
v. InstructionalDesignerandAccessibilityConsultant
MACreceivedfunding,asapprovedbythebudgetcommittee,tohireanInstructional
DesignerandAccessibilityConsultantfora10-monthcontract.Thisrolewillprovide
educatorswithaccessibilityawarenesstrainingrelatedtoaccessibleprogramorcourse
deliveryandinstructionaspersection16oftheIASR.TheintroductionoftheIASRbrought
anumberoftrainingrequirementsunderthelegislationthatMcMasterneedstoputinto
place.TheInstructionalDesignerandAccessibilityConsultantisintendedtocreatea
blueprintforthedevelopmentoftrainingtoolsspecificallyforinstructors.Thehiring
processiscurrentlyunderway.
iv. Procurement
Section5oftheIASRspecifiesthataccessibilitycriteriaandfeaturesbeincludedwhen
procuringoracquiringgoods,servicesorfacilities.TheStrategicProcurementdepartment
haveincludedanaccessibilitystatementtoitsprocurementtemplateofpurchasesof
$100,000orgreater.Itisanticipatedthataccessibilityconsiderationswillalsobeextended
totheprocurementofgoods,servicesandfacilitiesunder$100,000.Followupwith
StrategicProcurementwilltakeplaceduring2015/2016.
v. Employment
TheEmploymentStandardoftheIASRstipulatescomprehensiveguidelinesforaccessibility
duringrecruitmentandhiring.HumanResourcesServicescontinuetoleadtheway
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forwardensuringcompliancewiththestandardssinceJanuary2012.Anotable
achievementthisyearhasbeentheWorkplaceAccommodationPolicy,whichwas
amendedandapprovedbytheBoardofGovernorsonJune4,2015.Thispolicyreaffirms
McMaster’scommitmenttoprovidingworkplaceaccommodationtoemployeeswho
requireitbasedonagroundprotectedbytheOntarioHumanRightsCode.Acompanion
documententitledMcMasterUniversityGuideandProceduresonWorkplace
Accommodation(the“AccommodationGuide”)wasalsocreatedtoprovideguidanceon
thepracticalapplicationoftheWorkplaceAccommodationPolicy.
vi. DesignofPublicSpaces
TheDesignofPublicSpaceStandardscomesintoeffectonJanuary1,2016.TheDesignof
PublicSpacesStandardsregulatesthedesignofnewlyconstructedorredevelopedspaces
usedbythepublic.ElementscoveredbytheStandardincludeexteriorspacessuchas
sidewalksandotherpedestrianwalkways,parkinglots,outdoorpublicuseeatingareas,
recreationaltrailsandplaygrounds.Requirementsarealsoincludedforsomedesign
elementsassociatedwithprovidingpublicaccesstoservices,suchasservicecounters,
fixedqueuingguidesandwaitingareas.
FacilityServicesleadMcMaster’scomplianceeffortsforthisStandard.FacilityServices
continuestoworkthroughtheCampusAccessibilityActionPlan(CAAP),whichisafive-
yearplantoensureabaselinelevelofphysicalaccessibilitytoacademicbuildingsacross
campus.Alistofphysicalaccessibilityachievementsin2014/2015hasbeenlistedinthe
followingsection.
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4. AccessibilityAchievements–2014/2015
a) PhysicalAccessibility
i. AccessibilityUpgradesbyFacilityServices
Description
GilmourHall–MenandWomen’swashrooms-Renovationstomakethembarrier-
freeaspercurrentOntarioBuildingcodes.
InstituteforAppliedHealthSciences(IAHS)–Barrier-freeWashroomUpgrades–
FirstFloor,ThirdFloorandFourthFloorwashrooms.Renovationstothese
washroomstomakeitbarrier-freeaspercurrentcodes.
CampuswideElevatorVoiceAnnunciationProject:Allelevatorsoncampusare
beingretrofittedwithtalkingkeypads/voiceannunciators.Projectisalmost
completewithjustafewunitsremaining.All54elevatorsoncampuswillhave
voiceannunciationattheendofthisproject.ReplacementofThodeLibrary
elevator–nowfullyaccessible.
AlumniHouse-barrier-freewashroom–renovationstothiswashroomtomakeit
accessibleaspercurrentcodes.
AppliedDynamicsLab-barrier-freewashroom–renovationstothiswashroomto
makeitaccessibleaspercurrentstandards.
HamiltonHall,JohnHodginsEngineeringBuilding(JHE),Psychology,LifeSciences
Building(LSB)IAHS,andMillsLibrary–FireAlarmVisualSignalsinthesebuildings.
UniversityHall–lightingupgradesinstairwell
IvorWynneCentre(IWC)-BasementAccessibilityUpgradesintheKinesiology
Offices:Allautomaticdooropenersincorridordoorsinstalled.Graduatestudent
barrier-freekitchenetteiscomplete.
CommunicationsResearchLaboratory–barrierfreeautomaticdooroperators
installedforbasementwashroom
Figure2:PhysicalAccessibilityAchievementsin2014/2015.
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ii. IntegratedScienceLab
ThenewIntegratedSciencelablocatedonthegroundflooroftheGeneralSciences
buildingisthefirstlaboncampusdesignedwithaccessibilityinmind.Thefacilityincludes
anaccessibledoor;colourcontrastflooringandpaint;loweredlabtablesandadjustable
workstationstoensurestudentswithdisabilitieshaveequalaccesstothelearning
environment.
Figure3:ImageofAccessibleIntegratedScienceLab,GeneralSciencesBuilding.
FacilityServicesdemonstrateditsleadershiponphysicalaccessibilitybyinitiatingthe
barrier-freedesignfeaturesinthislab.Theirvisionforcreatinganaccessiblecampuswill
onlybeattainablebyensuringthatallrenovationsandnewconstructiononcampusbe
designedwithaccessibilityinmind.Thislabservesasanexampleofhoweffectiveand
sustainableaproactiveapproachtoaccessibilitycanbe.Ratherthanreactingtoindividual
requestsforphysicalaccommodationssuchasawheelchairaccessibleworkstation,this
labisalreadyequippedwithsuchfacilities’savingtheUniversityandindividual
departmentsunnecessaryexpenseandliability,nottomentiontheindignitytostudents,
stafforfacultyhavingtorequestaccesstotheirlab.
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b) McMasterLibrary
McMasterLibraryServicescontinuetotakeaproactiveapproachtoadvancingaccessibility
atMcMaster.InadditiontotheirLibraryAccessibilityServices,theLibraryhascreatedan
accessibleprocurementstatementandprocedurefortheacquisitionoflibrarymaterials,
withspecificattentiontomediaacquisitions.
i. UpdatedLibraryAccessibilityFeatures
AlistoftheupdatedaccessibilityfeaturesnowavailableattheMcMasterLibrariescanbe
foundbelow.
Description
AutomaticdooroperatorsaddedtotwowashroomsonthefourthfloorofMills
Library,increasingtheiraccessibilityandusability
IntegratedaccesstotheACErepository(formoreinformationabouttheACE
projectpleaseseetheMACfirthyearannualreportlocatedonourwebsite)of
alternativeformatmaterialsfromwithinthelibrarycatalogue
LibraryServicescreatedaprocessforstudentswhorequirealternativeformats
todirectlyrequestan“accessiblecopy”ofanytitleinthelibrarycatalogue
whileusingthecatalogue.TitlesthatarenotavailablethroughACEorAERO
aredigitizedandconvertedandaremadeavailableforusetostudents
registeredthroughSAS.
AsanoutcomeoftheReport on Accessible Media(ROAM),undertookan
analysisofthelibrary’slegacymediacollection.LibraryServiceshaveadded
notestoallrecordstoindicatewhenclosecaptioningisavailable.Thenextstep
inthisprocessistoreviewallstreamedmediarecordstodeterminewhichones
haveclosecaptioningandaddnotestotheserecordswithinthelibrary’s
cataloguesystem.
Revisedall“HowLibraryStuffWorks”videoseriestoensurethatclose
captioningisaccurateandtranscriptsareavailable.
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Launchedthe“AskaLibrarian”virtualreferenceservice(Fall2014)which
permitsalluserstorequesthelpwiththeirresearchremotely,16hoursaday
duringterm,withlimitedaccessonweekends.Thisisaservicerunjointlyby
manyoftheOntariouniversitylibraries.
PurchasedanaccessibleSharpmulti-functionaldevice
(copier/printer/scanner),whichfeaturesapull-outkeyboardthatcanbe
pivotedforaccessatmultipleheightsandangles.Thisdeviceisfullyintegrated
withthecampusPrintsmartsystem.ItislocatedintheMillsLearning
Commons,neartheLibraryAccessibilityServicesoffice.
c) McMasterInstituteforInnovation&ExcellenceinTeaching&
Learning(MIIETL)
Overthelast12monthsMIIETLhasmadegreatstridesinadvancingaccessibilityin
teachingandlearning.TheMIIETLaccessibilitycommitteewasestablishedtoguide
MIIETL’sworkandtoensureasustainedcommitmenttoaccessibility.TheFaculty
AccessibilityResourceGuidebookwaspublishedinJanuary2014withstudentscholarsto
contributetotheresourcesavailabletoinstructors.AccessibleTeachingworkshopsare
availableforinstructorsandaccessibility-focusedsessionsarecontinuallyoffered
throughouttheyearandattheTeachingandLearningForumorganizedforTeaching
Assistants(TA’s)atthebeginningoftheacademicyear.Theseworkshopsutilizethe
expertiseandscholarshipofMIIETLstaffandpayparticularattentiontoclassroom
teachingstrategiesandassessmentdesign.TheIntroductiontoAccessibilityatMcMaster
videowasalsocreatedandproducedbyMIIETLstaffandtheAccessibilityCommunityof
PracticeissupportedbyMIIETLandisanexampleofthecollaborativenatureofitswork
onaccessibility.TheAccessibilityCommunityofPracticebringstogetheracross-sectionof
theMcMastercommunity(facultyandstaff)toaddresskeyaccessibilitychallengesinthe
areaofteachingandlearning.
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d) StudentAccessibilityServices(SAS)Inadditiontocoordinatingacademicaccommodationsforstudentswithdisabilities,SAS
providesworkshopsforstudentsandinstructorsthroughouttheacademicyear.The
ShiftingGearsprogramisaninitiativethatintroducesnewMcMasterstudentstothe
servicesandcampusresourcesthatareavailabletostudentswithdisabilitieswhorequire
academicaccommodations.TheSASStudentAllyProgramisaninnovativeprogramthat
matchesastudentwithadisabilitywithanupperyearstudentwhocananswerquestions
andprovidesupporttoensureasmoothtransitionintoUniversitylife.
e) HumanRights&EquityServices(HRES)
HREScontinuesitsworkcoordinatingaccessibilityinitiativesandAODAcomplianceacross
theUniversity.ThroughtheHRESAccessMACprogram,theAccessibilitySpecialistsupports
thecampuscommunityinadvancingaccessibilitythroughaccessibilityconsultations.This
resourceisavailabletostaff,studentsandfacultywheretheycanseekadviceand
guidanceonAODAcomplianceandbroaderaccessibilityissues.TrainingontheDutyto
Accommodate,Accessibility101,AODACustomerServiceTrainingandAODAcompliance
areofferingsavailabletothecampuscommunitythroughouttheyear.TherevisedHRES
AccessibilityChecklistisanadditionaltooldesignedtohelpeventorganizersplanfor
accessibility.HRESwillcontinuetolenditsexpertiseinpolicydevelopmentaswellas
providingsupporttoMACandthePresident’sAdvisoryCommitteeonBuildinganInclusive
Community(PACBIC)Access&AccommodationandMentalHealth,EquityandInclusion
workinggroups,respectively.
f) McMasterStudentUnion(MSU)
In2014/2015theMSUhostedaDisabilityForumwhereapproximately40students
attendedandsharedinsightsontheirexperienceasstudentswithdisabilitiesatMcMaster
University.ThesuccessoftheForumledtothedevelopmentoftheMSUAccessibility
PolicyPaper,whichwasapprovedinthe2014/2015academicyear.TheMSUaremembers
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ofMACandanumberofotheraccessibilityworkinggroupsacrosscampusensuringthat
thespecificexperienceofstudentswithdisabilitiesarerepresentedatdecisionmaking
tables.
ii. MSUAccessibilityCampaign
ThefirstMSUaccessibilitycampaign,“MACCESS”tookplaceinSeptember2015.TheMSU
promoteddisabilityawareness,advocatedforenhanceaccessibilityoncampusand
engagedstudentsindialogueonarangeofaccessibilityanddisabilityissues.
iii. MSUAbilitiesService
Aspartofit’sDiversityServicesportfolio,theMSUwillbelaunchingitsnewAbilities
Servicein2016/2017.Workiscurrentlyunderwaytohiretheservicemanagerandto
engagestudentswithdisabilities.The2ndAccessibilityForumscheduledforOctober2015
willfeedintothedesignoftheAbilitiesServiceandwillprovideleadershipand
representationforundergraduatestudentswithdisabilitiesatMcMaster.
iv. MSUClubs
Intheireffortstomainstreamaccessibilityaspartofthecultureoftheorganization,the
MSUhavemandatedthatallitsclubscompletetheHRESAccessibilityChecklistwhen
seekingapprovalfortheirevents.Thiswillaidinraisingawarenesswithinthestudentbody
abouttheirresponsibilitiestocreateaccessibleandinclusiveprograming.
g) Mosaic
TheMosaicteamiscontinuingitseffortstoensureMosaicmeetsaccessibilitystandards.
Oneoftherecentimprovementsincludeprovidinguserswiththeoptiontoself-enable
accessibilityfeatureswithinMosaic.Thisfeatureallowsuserstoturn-ontheaccessibility
functionalitytobettersupportassistivetechnologiessuchasscreenreaders.Moredetails
canbefoundontheMosaicwebsite.
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h) SnowRemoval
Thewinterof2013/2014wasextremelycoldandicyandtherewereasignificantnumber
ofaccessibilitychallengesfacedbystaff,studentsandfacultywithdisabilitiesoncampus.
ThePACBIC(President’sAdvisoryCommitteeforBuildinganInclusiveCommunity)Access
&Accommodation(A&A)workinggrouptookupthisissuein2014/2015whichresulted
inthedevelopmentofrecommendationsforsnowremovalthatweredevelopedwithand
presentedtoFacilityServices.In-personmeetingsbetweenA&Arepresentativesand
FacilityServiceshelpedfosterbettercommunicationaboutthespecificaccessibility
challengesbeingfacedandthepossiblesolutions.Theworkinggroupexpectsthatthe
physicalbarriersencounteredinpreviousyearswillbesignificantlydiminishedin
2015/2016.
i) McMaster.cawebsite
McMaster’sdigitalfrontdoorgotarefreshinAugust2015withanaccessibleandmobile-
friendlyhomepage.
j) OtherAccessibilityActivities
In2014/2015MACcontinueditsinvolvementinadvancingaccessibilityissuesacross
campusbyreiteratingtheimportanceof,andorganizationalcommitmentto,accessibility
whereverpossible. MembersoftheCouncilhavebeeninvitedtospeaktovarious
McMastercommitteesontheinstitution’slegislativeobligationsandMcMaster’s
commitmenttomeettheseresponsibilitiesunderthelegislationandourpolicies.These
sessionshavebeenwellreceivedandMACcontinuestoensurethataccessibility
considerationsareimplementedthroughouttheMcMastercommunity,fromday-to-day
operations,totheclassroomandthecommunityatlarge.
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5. AccessibilityPrioritiesfor2015/2016
AstheMACentersitsseventhyearofoperation,itwillcontinueprovidingleadershipon
theimplementationoftheAODA.In2015/2016McMasterwillcompleteitsAccessibility
ComplianceReporttotheGovernmentofOntario,whichcoversongoingcompliancewith
theAccessibleCustomerServiceStandardandtheIntegratedAccessibilityStandards
Regulation.Movingforward,MACwillstrivetoensurethataccessibilityremainsatthe
forefrontoftheUniversity’sagendawithaviewtocompletingthefollowingoverthe
courseof2015/2016.
• UpdatetheAODAonlineCustomerServiceTrainingmodule;
• MovetheAODAonlineCustomerServiceTrainingmoduletoAvenuetoLearnand
thetrainingcompletionrecordstoMosaic;
• ReviseandupdatetheMcMasterAccessibilityPolicy;
• FollowupwithStrategicProcurementregardingaccessibilitystandardsforgoods
andservicesunder$100,000;
• Rolloutacentralplantofacilitateclosedcaptioningofmediacreatedoncampus;
• Completethewebaccessibilityauditanddevelopawebaccessibilitystrategy;and
• ThroughMIITEL’snewInstructionalDesignerandAccessibilityConsultant,develop
andimplementaresource/toolforinstructorsandeducatorsonaccessible
teachingstrategies,programsandmethodologies
6. Conclusion
AsMAClookstofurtheritscommitmenttoenhancingaccessibilityacrosstheUniversityin
the2015-2016academicyear,itwillcontinuetodevelopandemployproactivestrategies
McMasterAccessibilityCouncil-SixthYearReport2015
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tomeetAODAcomplianceaswellastofosteraspiritofaccessibilitythatextendsbeyond
legislativerequirements.
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7. AppendixA:AODAScorecard
McMasterUniversityScorecard-OntarianswithDisabilitiesAct(AODA)
AODARegulation
ComplianceDate
ComplianceStatus
ProposedActionToAchieveCompliance
Procuringoracquiringgoods,servicesorfacilitiess.5(1)…shallincorporateaccessibilitycriteriaandfeatureswhenprocuringoracquiringgoods,servicesorfacilities,exceptwhereitisnotpracticabletodoso.
Partialcompliance.StatementincorporatedintoREPtemplateforpurchasesover$100,000,however,noresourcesorstatementsguidingstaffandfacultyforpurchasesunder$100,000.Roleandresponsibilityofstaffandfacultyforaccessiblepurchases
• Procurementtoprovideinformationontheirwebsite,trainingandotheroutreachmaterialstohelpstaffandfacultyinconsideringaccessibilityfeaturesforalltheirpurchases.
Training–CustomerService
Incompliance,however,currenttrainingisoutofdateandrequiresrevision.Recommendationtoshortentraining
• Seerecommendationbelow
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Training–IASRandHumanRightCodes.7(1)…shallensurethattrainingisprovidedontherequirementsoftheaccessibilitystandardsreferredtointhisRegulationandontheHumanRightsCodeasitpertainstopersonswithdisabilities…
Notincompliance • Developaseriesofonlinetrainingmodulesthatwillbemadeavailabletoallstaff,facultyandvolunteersonAvenuetoLearn
Trainingforeducatorss.16(1)I…shallprovideeducatorswithaccessibilityawarenesstrainingrelatedtoaccessibleprogramorcoursedeliveryandinstruction.
Notincompliance • OneyearcontractpositioninMIIETLtodeveloptrainingresourcesandfacilitatetraininggearedtowardsfaculty
Accessiblewebsitesandwebcontents.14(2)…shallmaketheirinternetwebsitesandwebcontentconformwiththeWorldWideWebConsortiumWebContent
Currentlynotincompliance-UTShasdevelopedWCAGonlinecoursewhichneedscompleting
• WebAccessibilityConsultantcontractpositiontoleadtheinfrastructuralchangetowardsfullyaccessiblewebsitesandwebcontentandtosupportthestaff,facultyandstudentensureaccessiblewebsites
• Finalizationofonlinewebcourseandpromotionthroughoutthecampus
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AccessibilityGuidelines(WCAG)2.0,initiallyatLevelAandincreasingtoLevelAA
community• Developmentofatool
whichincorporatesaccessibilityconsiderationsutilizingUTSWebaccessibilitychecklist
Educationalandtrainingresourcesandmaterials,etc.s.15(1)…provideeducationalortrainingresourcesormaterialsinanaccessibleformat
Incompliance • LibraryhasanAccessibilityServicesdepartmentwhohandlesaccessibility/accommodationrequestforeducationalandtrainingmaterials
Producersofeducationalortrainingmaterial-s.17(1)…thatisaproducerofprint-basededucationalortrainingsupplementarylearningresourcesforeducationalortrainingshalluponrequestmakeaccessibleorconversionreadyversions…
Notincompliance **?
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EmploymentStandards
Incompliancewithallstandardsthatpertaintolargepublicsectororganizations.
KEY:
NotincomplianceApproachingcomplianceIncompliance
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8. AppendixB:McMasterAccessibilityCouncil(MAC)Termsof
Reference
McMaster Accessibility Council and its Members are responsible for ensuring the
University’s adherence to AODA Accessibility Standards. The Council provides a
mechanism for planning, reviewing and evaluating the implementation of the
AODA Accessibility Standards within the University.
RESPONSIBILITIES 1. To guide the development of plans for the implementation of the AODA
Accessibility Standards at the University.
2. To receive plans and reports related to the implementation of AODA
Accessibility Standards from the appropriate University personnel and
committees.
3. To make recommendations to the University regarding policies and
institutional changes required to ensure adherence to the AODA Accessibility
Standards.
4. To monitor the progress of AODA Accessibility Standards implementation
across the University.
5. To oversee the filing of the required accessibility reports to the Ontario
government regarding the University’s compliance with AODA.
ACCOUNTABILITY The Council will report to the President through the Provost & Vice-President
(Academic) and the Vice-President (Administration). The Council will prepare an
annual report of its activities. The Terms of Reference will be reviewed every five
years.
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MEMBERSHIP Membership of the Council will be reviewed periodically to ensure that all areas of
the University are appropriately represented. Membership on the Council is made
up of senior officers of the University who are accountable for decisions made at
the Council. From time to time, members of the Council may send a delegate if
they are unable to attend a meeting.
The committee will be chaired by a member of McMaster’s faculty
or staff, appointed for a three-year term by the President, upon the
recommendation of the Provost & Vice-President (Academic) and
the Vice-President (Administration).
QUORAM Three senior officers (or designates who have been given authority) are required to
vote on a motion to bind the University. In addition, where there is a vote binding
another department, the Council member of that particular department must be
present at the meeting.
MEMBERS Associate Vice-President (Teaching & Learning) Associate
Vice-President (Faculty)
Associate Vice-President (Students & Learning) and Dean of Students
Assistant Vice-President and Chief Facilities Officer
Chief Human Resources Officer
• Executive Director, Human Resources (HR designate)
Chief Information Officer
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• Manager, Client Services (UTS designate) Director
Human Rights & Equity Services Director, Public & Community Relations
Vice-President (Education), McMaster Students Union
CONSULTANTS Manager, Employee Health Services
Accessibility Specialist, HRES
Manager, Student Accessibility Services
MEETINGS A schedule of meetings will be developed based on an annual planning cycle of
issues/topics for the agenda.
Approved March 29, 2012
Revised April 21, 2014
Revised October 22, 2014
Revised April 2, 2015
Revised August 26, 2015
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