Trent University ::: Accessibility Plan Year 1 Update

In September of 2003, Trent University finalized and posted is first annual Accessibility Plan (the Plan). In the development of that plan, Trent utilized a consultative process to review and identify services, policies, procedures and facilities which could produce barriers to full inclusion for persons with disabilities into the Trent environment.

In formulating its Accessibility Plan, Trent took a five-year timeline for barrier re-dress. This was done in recognition that certain barriers such as policy review and adjustment can be eliminated on a relatively short timeline while other, more resource intensive barriers, such as building retro-fit may require a longer time for completion especially in a system which is severely resource limited.

In keeping with the provisions of its Accessibility Plan 2003/04, Trent University has carried out an annual review of the Plan. The current document forms an addendum to the original Accessibility Plan published by Trent in September 2003.

This update comes to report on the progress to date of barrier removal under the Plan and to put forward the barrier removal initiatives Trent has identified for Year II.

During Year I of the Plan, Trent identified barriers for re-dress in each of the following areas:

This update provides a gauge of the progress which has been made to date in each of these areas.

Category	Barrier	Strategy for removal/prevention	Update September 04
Publications	Accessibility of web site Access to alternate format	Review of web policies Statement on all publications Re: mechanism to request alternate format	Web policies review ed with Communications Dept and DSO – Fall '03 DSO and Communications working on format for web pages built on Cascading Style Sheets Text Only link on Home Page

Information Resources	Access to Library Resources	Access technology in a central adapted workstation in computer commons Training for Library staff	Bata Suite 106.11 equipped with adapted computer station for alternate access - Sept 04 Library staff working with users with disabilities to evaluate access level of library web resources Staff training deferred to Yr II after development of awareness training workshop
Access to Instruction	Awareness of instructional staff / faculty which sometimes affects attitude.	Approach TUFA to partner with DSO (SNO) and Dean's office to introduce an information booklet for all faculty re: roles and responsibilities with input from ODA Committee in 03/04.	UID information sent to all new faculty in Sept 04 Faculty workshop for Web CT and Universal Design developed and delivered October '03

	Web CT	Dean's office to work with ODA Cttee to provide opportunity for disability awareness training emphasizing rights, roles and responsibilities for faculty during 2003/04. Trent to invest in accessible courseware during 2003/04.	Faculty Training deferred to YR II after development of new training resources. New version of Web CT installed on Trent system - August 04
Adaptive Technologies	Need for adapted workstations in all teaching labs. Training for Lab Monitors in use of adaptive technologies	Provide adapted workstations in library and all teaching labs over the timeline of the Access Plan. Provide training to lab monitors to assist in use of adaptive technology. (DSO (SNO) to take lead in adaptive technology training in consultation with CTS.)	Request for 2 additional resource rooms for adapted workstations for students with disabilities – September 04 Computers in Language Lab made available to DSO for exam periods Dec '03

Academic Services/Policies

Disability Services (Special Needs) Policy non-specific
Resources for Disability Services (Special Needs) Office (especially relating to supports for students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing)
non-permanence of DSO (SNO) staff ( 65% contract)

Scholarship decisions based on full-time status

Revise Disability Services (Special Needs) Policy in 2003/04.
New policy to include rights, roles and responsibilities of all parties (students, staff, faculty, etc.).
Extra resources to be provided to DSO (SNO) in 2003/04.
DSO (SNO) staffing to be reviewed for appropriate rating and permanency.
Review scholarship process for students studying part-time as an accommodation for their disability.

Student roles and responsibilities developed and communicated through new DSO student handbook – Sept 04
Faculty roles and responsibilities document to be developed and distributed to all faculty in YR II
Resources added to DSO budget 03/04 to cope with growth during double cohort
Learning Specialist and Adaptive Technologist positions converted to permanent status.
All positions in DSO reviewed for appropriate staffing levels. - Summer 04
Scholarship policy for students with disabilities developed – Sept '04
Policy for Equivalent to Full-Time status developed
- March 04

Human Resources

Attitude
Training from top

Training plan for staff to provide disability awareness training to be drafted.
Disability awareness training to be included in new manager's training program for 2003/04.
HR should have the responsibility for developing awareness training with departmental responsibility to ensure staff are trained.

Training workshop for staff and faculty developed by Human resources with input from DSO
Training for managers and staff for delivery during Fall'04 and Spring '05. Training for Faculty to begin Spring '05

Physical Facilities *

Numerous physical barriers
Need for an Access Map
Automatic door openers
Signage for areas of refuge.
Snow Removal
Problems with where to report difficulties

Conduct a Barrier-Free audit of Trent's facilities in 03/04
Develop an electronic Barrier-Free map of campus.
Add automatic door openers at major access points into buildings.
Signage for Areas of Refuge in multi-story buildings.
Snow removal plan to be reviewed by ODA Committee
Develop a clear communications mode for reporting access problems.

Barrier-Free Audit of Blackburn Hall, LEC, SC, ESB, and AC conducted – April 04
Additional Audits to take place during YR II
Electronic Access Map developed - September 04
$-testing on web site - Sept 04
Automatic Door openers in Gzowski, Blackburn Hall
- installed 03/04
Bill Gibson to work with Phys. Res. To achieve this by October
Proposed 04/05 snow removal plan to ODA Cttee by September 27/04 for review
Robert Ballerin identified as the Phys. Resources staff member to receive reports of access issues.

Non-Academic Services

Residence space Allocation.
Access to non-academic events/activities
Counselling support for students with psychological disabilities

Involvement of DSO (SNO) in residence decisions for students with disabilities.
Disability-awareness training for student groups and associations.
Review of current counselling policies/priorities and development of an action plan for support / referral for students with psychological disabilities. Review to involve Coordinator Special Needs.

Communication between DSO and Housing during residence allocations
Meeting scheduled between DSO and College Dons to discuss social aspects of university life for students with disabilities. –Oct 04
DSO involved in Dons training.
Consultation with ISW coordinators and DSO staff when planning events for ISW. –June 04
Annual meetings between DSO and Counselling staff established - February 04
DSO has partnered in initiative to set up improved access to community resources – Oct 04

During YR I of the Access Plan, there was one complaint in regards to access reported using the Complaints resolution process incorporated into the Plan. This complaint was resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant.

With this reporting on its YR I activities under its Accessibility Plan and the posting of initiatives to be undertaken during YR II, Trent has demonstrated its commitment to a living and learning environment which is accessible to all members of the Trent community. In addition, as a public institution, Trent is aware of the need to ensure its facilities, programs and activities are accessible to the public at large. Throughout the period of the current Accessibility Plan and beyond, Trent will continue to view access improvements and barrier removal as a priority so as to provide full inclusions of persons with disabilities to our endeavours.