Universities provide numerous pathways for learning, personal growth, and career development, yet for some individuals itâs a journey hindered by obstacles.
In some cases, barriers prevent physical movement. In others, they present daily challenges for learning effectively in a classroom or accessing a service efficiently. In all cases, they create unnecessary hardship and can strip individuals of valuable opportunities.
âRemoving these barriers is key for equitable access to education, research, employment and services,â says Quenta Adams, director of Student Academic Success at Dal and co-chair of the universityâs Accessibility Advisory Committee.
This year, ±«Óătv accelerated its efforts to do just that when it released its first university-wide Accessibility Plan. The plan lays out a detailed roadmap for ensuring the university meets Nova Scotia's goal of being fully accessible by 2030, not just for people with visible disabilities but also those who struggle with invisible disabilities linked to mental health and neurodivergence.
Dalâs framework, informed by the provinceâs plan as well as years of research and consultation across the university, identifies six key areas where changes are needed and the universityâs commitment to each:
Built Environment
Our commitment: Buildings and outdoor spaces on ±«Óătv Universityâs campuses provide meaningful access for intended users.
Teaching, Learning, and Research
Our commitment: ±«Óătv University is a leader in inclusive and accessible teaching and learning, and collaborative research on accessibility.
Goods and Services
Our commitment: Students, employees and visitors with disabilities or others who experience barriers to accessibility have equitable access to goods and services provided by ±«Óătv University.
Information and communication
Our commitment: Ensuring all people can receive, understand, and share the information provided by ±«Óătv.
Transportation
Our commitment: Transportation provided to ±«Óătv employees and students is accessible.
Employment
Our commitment: ±«Óătv University is an accessible and equitable employer, supporting the careers of employees with disabilities or others who experience barriers to accessibility, and ensures their employees reflect the diversity of Nova Scotians.
Each area of commitment is supported by a series of recommendations, which Dal will track to measure its success on the road to achieving full accessibility for those with visible and invisible disabilities.
(For further information about recommendations, visit dal.ca/about-dal/accessibility-plan/projectplan.html or download the full plan below).
Download: [PDF - 300kb]
Capturing lived experience and expertise
Collaboration and consultation were key to building a plan that complements existing accessibility policies and initiatives at the university, explains Adams.
The Student Accessibility Centre (Student Affairs), Accessible Employment (Human Resources), the dis(Ability) Caucus for faculty and staff, and Facilities Management were all deeply involved in the planning process, which kicked off in August 2019 following a university-wide accessibility audit.
The Accessibility Advisory Committee, which Adams now co-chairs with Chris Hattie, acting vice-president of Human Resources, was set up to help guide the planning process. Decision-making teams were then created to tackle commitments and recommendations in each focus area. These were comprised of members of the Dal community, including those living with disability and leaders responsible for accessibility work.
âWeâve arrived at this critical stage due to voices from the margins being centred in this work and with lived experience visible, supported, valued, and celebrated,â says Adams.
In addition to assigning working groups to create sub-plans for each commitment area, the university also gathered valuable input and data through an accessibility survey. Respondents totalled 2,209, including 942 students, 346 faculty members, 921 staff â each completing a survey customized for their group.
The various sub-plans and data gathered were then weaved into the final plan, which integrates the provinceâs own planning guidelines for post-secondary institutions.
The university will track its progress towards meeting the planâs recommendations on a webpage featured in the Accessibility Plan section of Dal.ca.
Recommended reading: When a little effort goes a long way
Introducing Accessibility Week â Nov. 28-Dec.5
This week, ±«Óătv has launched a new annual initiative called ±«Óătv Accessibility Week.
The universityâs inaugural campaign kicks off today, November 28, and runs through until December 5, overlapping with the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (Dec. 3).
Dal has a series of public events and initiatives planned for the week to raise awareness about the Accessibility Plan and accessibility at the university more generally.
âThe success of our new Accessibility Plan involves all members of our community, as we continue our path towards a more inclusive campus,â says Hattie. âWe hope that the inaugural Accessibility Week will be an important step towards bring awareness to this important topic.â
Learn more about whatâs happening on theÌęAccessibility WeekÌę·É±đČú±èČčČ”±đ.
While you're here . . . .
Check out What It's Like,Ìęa new web series launching for ±«Óătv Accessibility Week. The series provides members of the Dal community an opportunity to share their experiences living with a disability. You can find entries here, updated daily.
Find information here on how you can share your own perspective.Ìę
Recommended reading:ÌęâMore than just a jobâ: Dal prof reflects on two decades of accessibility advocacy