AODA and Human Rights Code: Who are people with disabilities at McMaster

Summary

The video discusses accessibility initiatives at McMaster University, focusing on access to education, campus environments, and employment opportunities. It emphasizes that disabilities are not always visible and do not require disclosure for accessibility to be prioritized. Everyone benefits from greater accessibility, and it is a shared responsibility to make it a social priority. The video encourages people to take action by promoting accessibility and provides contact details for further information, including resources on the AODA and Human Rights Code support.

Takeaways

• 🎓 McMaster University prioritizes accessibility in various areas including education, physical environment, and employment.
• 📚 Accessibility efforts focus on educational instruction, course materials, and university digital resources.
• 🏢 The physical environment and services on campus are considered to ensure a barrier-free experience.
• 👥 Social spaces and employment opportunities are also part of the university's accessibility focus.
• 🦽 Disabilities can be visible, like using wheelchairs, or invisible, and the university's approach is inclusive of both.
• 🤝 Individuals do not need to disclose their disabilities for accessibility measures to be implemented.
• 👁️‍🗨️ Greater accessibility benefits everyone, not just those with identified disabilities.
• 🌐 Accessibility is a collective responsibility and everyone has a part to play in promoting it.
• 📧 For more information on promoting accessibility, contact McMaster's accessibility office via email or visit their website.
• 📞 A dedicated phone number is provided for accessibility inquiries.
• 📘 Specific support is available for AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) and Human Rights Code compliance.

Q & A

What is McMaster University's focus on accessibility?

McMaster University focuses on accessibility in educational instruction, course materials, university websites and media, the physical environment, academic and social spaces, employment opportunities, and workplace environments.

Who are considered people with disabilities at McMaster?

People with disabilities at McMaster include those who use visible assistive devices like wheelchairs, walkers, or canes, as well as those who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf.

Does McMaster require individuals to disclose their disability for accessibility services?

No, McMaster does not require individuals to disclose their disability for accessibility services to be taken seriously.

Why is it important to advance accessibility without knowing who benefits from it?

Advancing accessibility is important because it benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities. It promotes an inclusive environment for all.

What is the role of the community in ensuring accessibility at McMaster?

Everyone at McMaster has a role to play in ensuring accessibility is at the forefront of the social agenda, regardless of who they know to be or think would benefit most from it.

How can one get more information on promoting accessibility at McMaster?

For more information on promoting accessibility, one can visit www.accessibility.mcmaster.ca, email [email protected], or call 905-525-9140 extension 24644.

What support is available for AODA and Human Rights Code courses at McMaster?

Support for AODA and Human Rights Code courses can be obtained by emailing [email protected].

How can someone connect with McMaster for general information on accessibility?

For general information on accessibility, one can connect with McMaster at equity.mcmaster.ca.

What are some examples of visible assistive devices mentioned in the script?

Examples of visible assistive devices include wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.

What does McMaster mean by 'enhanced accessibility'?

Enhanced accessibility refers to improved access to services, facilities, and information for everyone, including those with disabilities.

How does McMaster define disability?

Disability at McMaster is defined broadly, including both visible and non-visible conditions that may affect a person's ability to access and participate in university life.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Accessibility at McMaster University

McMaster University is committed to accessibility in various aspects such as educational instruction, course materials, university websites, media, physical environment, services, academic and social spaces, employment opportunities, and workplace environments. The concept of disability is not limited to those with visible assistive devices or sensory differences but includes anyone who may require accommodations. The university emphasizes that accessibility is not just for those who are known to have a disability but is a universal requirement that benefits everyone. McMaster encourages everyone to play a role in promoting accessibility and provides resources for further information and support.

Keywords

💡Accessibility

Accessibility refers to the design of products, services, and environments that are usable by all people, especially those with disabilities. In the context of the video, McMaster focuses on improving access to education, physical environments, and employment for everyone, regardless of their ability. The video emphasizes that accessibility benefits everyone and is a collective responsibility.

💡Disability

A disability is a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities. The video points out that disabilities are often thought of as visible, such as those requiring assistive devices like wheelchairs or canes. However, it stresses that accessibility improvements are needed even for those whose disabilities are not immediately obvious.

💡Assistive Devices

Assistive devices are tools that help individuals with disabilities perform tasks that they might otherwise find difficult. Examples given in the video include wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. These devices are used as visual examples to illustrate the types of disabilities people typically think of when they imagine accessibility needs.

💡Sensory Difference

Sensory difference refers to disabilities that affect one's senses, such as vision or hearing. The video uses this concept to describe people who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf, indicating that their disabilities are often visually observable. The term underscores the importance of considering diverse forms of disability in accessibility efforts.

💡Educational Access

Educational access involves ensuring that all students, including those with disabilities, can fully participate in learning opportunities. The video highlights McMaster's focus on making course materials, instruction, and syllabi accessible to everyone, stressing that education should be inclusive and available to all, regardless of disability.

💡Physical Environment

The physical environment refers to the buildings, spaces, and infrastructure on campus. The video explains that McMaster aims to make its physical spaces—academic, social, and employment-related—accessible to everyone. This includes removing barriers that might prevent people with disabilities from fully engaging with their surroundings.

💡Workplace Environments

Workplace environments refer to the conditions and settings where people work. The video stresses the importance of making these environments accessible, highlighting McMaster's commitment to ensuring that employment opportunities and workplace settings accommodate people with disabilities.

💡Human Rights Code

The Human Rights Code is a set of laws designed to protect individuals from discrimination, including on the basis of disability. In the video, McMaster refers to this code in the context of their AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) compliance, ensuring that the rights of individuals with disabilities are upheld.

💡AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)

The AODA is legislation in Ontario, Canada, that sets standards for accessibility across public and private sectors. In the video, McMaster mentions their support for AODA compliance, which is crucial for ensuring that their institution is inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities.

💡Social Agenda

A social agenda refers to the collective goals and priorities set by a society or institution. In this video, McMaster emphasizes that accessibility should be a key part of our social agenda, meaning that everyone has a role to play in promoting and ensuring accessibility in all aspects of life. The message is that accessibility is not just for those with visible disabilities but for the benefit of all.

Highlights

McMaster focuses on accessibility in various areas including educational instruction, course materials, and physical environment.

Accessibility extends to services, academic and social spaces, and employment opportunities.

Disabilities are not only visible but can also be sensory differences or limitations.

Accessibility does not require individuals to disclose their disability.

Accessibility benefits everyone, not just those with known disabilities.

Enhanced accessibility is a collective responsibility.

Promoting accessibility is part of the social agenda at McMaster.

For more information on promoting accessibility, visit www.accessibility.mcmaster.ca.

Inquiries can be sent to [email protected] or by phone at 905-525-9140 extension 24644.

AODA and Human Rights Code Course Support is available via email at [email protected].

General information can be found at equity.mcmaster.ca.

Accessibility is about more than just physical devices like wheelchairs or canes.

Disabilities can include blindness, visual impairment, or deafness.

Accessibility is a serious matter that does not rely on the visibility of disability.

Greater accessibility is a universal requirement.

We all benefit from a more accessible environment.

Accessibility is a social responsibility that impacts the entire community.

Contact information for accessibility inquiries is provided.

Resources for AODA and Human Rights Code are available for course support.

Transcripts

Who are people with disabilities at McMaster?

McMaster’s accessibility focus is on access to educational instruction, course syllabi,

and materials, University websites and media, the physical environment and services, academic

and social spaces on campus, at employment opportunities, and workplace environments.

Typically when we think of a disability we think of persons who we can readily identify

as disabled.

For example, persons who use visible assistive devices like wheelchairs, walkers, or cane

colour or we think of people who are blind, visually impaired or deaf.

Disabilities that are often visually observable and involve a sensory difference or limitation.

Advancing accessibility, however, does not require individuals to disclose their disability

in order for accessibility to be taken seriously.

Neither does it require staff, students or instructors to know if their peers, colleagues

or students live with disabilities.

Greater accessibility is a requirement regardless of who we know to be or who we think would

benefit most from it.

In fact, we all benefit from enhanced accessibility so we all have a role to play in ensuring

that accessibility is at the forefront of our social agenda.

For more information on how you can promote accessibility, visit us at www.accessibility.mcmaster.ca,

email [email protected] or call 905-525-9140 extension 24644.

For AODA and Human Rights Code Course Support, email [email protected].

For more general information, connect with us at equity.mcmaster.ca.