ODA Accessibility Plan - Trent University - Year III
September 2005
In Year III of the Access Plan, Trent will, once again, identify a set of barriers for re-dress. During the course of the past two years, Trent has worked to re-dress some 53 of the 84 barriers originally identified during the process of drafting its first Accessibility Plan. At the same time, Trent has seized every opportunity to incorporate accessibility features into its building and instructional plans. In addition to the barriers listed below, Trent re-states two major institutional commitments for the removal of barriers to access in YR III and beyond. These commitments are:
A commitment to future building and renovation which will build in functional accessibility under ODA standards through adoption of the new CSA Accessibility Building Standards, where possible rather than adherence to the Ontario Building Code
Commencing in the 2006]07 budget year, all departments will be requested to identify and communicate their ODA expenditures to the ODA Advisory Committee."
Category |
Barrier |
Strategy for Removal/Prevention |
Publications
|
Reliance on print materials |
Add a statement to all publications that describes how to access contents in alternate format – ex.“The contents of this Academic Calendar may be viewed in alternate format atwww.Trentu.ca |
Information Resources
|
Loan periods for library resources for users with disabilities
Access to electronic journals and other electronic library resources
Items on Library shelves, in cabinets, and within databases may not be accessible to some users.
Access to documents on web site |
Formalize existing informal process for longer loan periods for users with disabilities
Library staff to work with DSO staff to review accessibility of existing and new electronic resources.
The Library will post and promote information on how Library users with disabilities may arrange for personal assistance when searching for resources
Establish web accessibility guidelines
Purchase annual site license to provide |
Access to Instruction
|
Timely access to course materials |
Purchase of new technology for conversion of course materials
Establishment of a part-time student support position to facilitate conversion activities
Training Initiative for instructional staff |
Adaptive Technologies
|
Limited access to some adaptive software/hardware Sense of ‘difference’ |
Continue to mount adaptive software through Trent’s computer network whenever feasible and resources allow
Make software available to all users of the Trent network, whenever feasible and resources allow
DSO to provide training sessions for any interested user of specified adaptive software products |
Academic Administrative Services and Policies
|
Faculty and staff uncertain as to impact of policies/procedures on persons with disabilities |
Initiate a review of existing policies and practices to identify barriers to full inclusion |
Human Resources / Training / Awareness
|
Uncertainty of where to access support for faculty and/or staff with disabilities Training for Employees as to their responsibilities under the AODA |
Re-establish Trent’s Employment Equity Committee to review and make recommendations as to accommodation of faculty and staff with disabilities
Draft a Human Resources policy on accommodations for employees with disabilities.
Continue targeted training as established in YR II of the Plan. |
Physical Facilities |
Problems with counter heights, etc.
Continuous monitoring of physical access barriers
Emergency Evacuation Plan |
adopt the CSA Accessibility standards for all building at Trent, where possible, whether new construction or renovation.
Collaborate with Walkhome program to incorporate access concerns into the annual Safety Audit
Incorporate emergency evacuation plan into Crisis Response Plan currently under development |
Non-Academic Services
|
Access for persons with hearing disabilities to core support services |
Install TDD systems in key support areas such as Housing, Security, Student Affairs, etc. |
In putting forward this list of initiatives for YR III under the Trent Accessibility Plan, there is one large access initiative which is carried over from YR I of the Plan – the elevator for the Chemical Sciences facility.
With this posting of initiatives to be undertaken during YR III of its ODA, Trent has once again 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.
