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Annual Accessibility Plan 2011-2012
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Our Annual Accessibility Plan (below) is also available in PDF as well as alternative formats upon request.
Annual Accessibility Plan
September 2011/2012
Submitted to: Accessibility Directorate, Ministry of Community and Social Services
Submitted by: Earl Black, Manager, Accessibility Services
For any inquires please contact:
Earl Black, Manager, Accessibility Services
Phone: (705) 675-1151, Ext 4806 | TTY (705) 675-4806
Email: eblack@laurentian.ca
INTRODUCTION
Laurentian University’s Accessibility Services serves approximately 7% of the student population. However, an additional 0.7% of students have disclosed a disability although they do not use our services.
This report describes the measures that Laurentian University and Accessibility Services has taken and will take to identify, remove and prevent barriers to students and employees with disabilities in this post secondary institution. Laurentian has been proactive and committed to removing barriers since developing our Policy and Guidelines on Students with Special Needs in 1997.
Accessibility Planning:
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) include five specific requirements for annual accessibility planning and barrier removal.
These requirements provide the framework for Laurentian University’s 2011-2012 Accessibility Plan.
ONE: Report on the measures the organization has taken to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
Laurentian University underwent an accessibility audit in 1996. By 2005, Laurentian removed numerous barriers originally identified. We have made progress in the past few years of creating organizational awareness around accessibility and it is now becoming part of our culture for staff to consider accessibility when planning everything from events, to new buildings, purchases and lesson plans.
The Accessibility Services office has:
- Trained faculty, staff and volunteers in accessible customer service
- Consulted third parties and collaborated in implementing policies, practices and procedures in accessible customer service. Third parties include, but are not limited to contractors, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Residence Life Office, Active Living, Huntington, Thornloe and the University of Sudbury.
- Surveyed 500 students to determine individual concerns/barriers pertaining to accessibility. 165 responses were received. The major barriers were: lack of quiet exam rooms, awareness of accessibility services and centralized location for accessibility services.
- Created awareness of disabilities and barriers by hosting an annual wheelchair challenge
- Trained prospective teachers (3
rd and 4th year Education students) on assistive technology
Developed a specific webpage for information sharing pertaining to the AODA, including training tools, case studies, resources, updates on the integrated accessibility standards, feedback options and contact information
The University has:
- Implemented a Policy on Accessibility Standards for Customer Service and revised departmental practices and procedures
- Student Associations that advocate for accessibility and represent members with disabilities
- Started building an accessible residence on campus that addresses the needs of students with disabilities, and increases accessibility to other buildings
- Provided an accessible teepee, along with an accessible pathway
- Installed approximately 20 accessible picnic tables throughout the campus grounds
- Amalgamated the Accessibility Services office, into a one-site location to better serve students
- Made publications available in alternate formats
- Considered creating a formal Accessibility Advisory Committee, consisting of students, student associations, and other departments that provide student services
- Installed accessible water fountains in several buildings
TWO: Describe the measures in place to ensure that the organization assesses its Acts/by-laws, regulations, policies, programs, practices and services to determine their effect on accessibility for people with disabilities.
Accessibility Services will meet quarterly with Physical Plant and Planning and students to receive feedback on accessibility issues. The future meetings will help us plan to monitor the removal of barriers identified in Laurentian University’s 2012/13 accessibility plan. Discussions will be held with different departments, employees and students with various types of disabilities to ensure that the Laurentian University’s Accessibility Plan is implemented in accordance with their stated needs. Barriers may be addressed through the Student Associations. We also have an electronic form which allows customers to communicate feedback about the manner in which we provide goods and services to persons with disabilities. Feedback is accepted in a variety of ways (in accordance with the Accessible Customer Service Standard). Lastly, we survey students annually to address their individual concerns pertaining to accessibility.
THREE: List the policies, programs, practices and services that the organization will review in the coming year to identify barriers to people with disabilities.
The University will review:
- Departmental policies, practices and procedures pertaining to Accessible Customer Service.
- Any existing emergency evacuation procedures and consider whether these procedures meet the needs of people with disabilities.
- Training obligations which relate to training employees, both on the Integrated Accessibility Standards, and on obligations under the
Ontario Human Rights Code.
FOUR: Describe the measures the organization intends to take in the coming year to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.
The University will:
- Ensure that those who interact with the public on the University’s behalf receive the required customer service training
- Provide ongoing support to faculty and staff regarding compliance with the Customer Service Standard
- Establish an accessible website
- Utilize the Council of Ontario Universities’ resources to address the Integrated Accessibility Standards
- Make stadium washrooms accessible
- Improve identification of buildings and signage
- Ensure the proper location of door activators in the new residence
- Provide additional quiet rooms for exams
- Promote Accessibility Services through Student Associations, campus newspapers, community events and general advertising
FIVE: Make the accessibility plan available to the public.
Laurentian’s accessibility plan will be available on the Laurentian University website under Accessibility Services. The accessibility plan will be marketed and made available in alternative formats for individuals who require it.
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