Waterloo plans to update accessibility training for employees to cover all aspects of the AODA and newly created Waterloo policies and procedures related to accessibility. For Procurement in particular, a resource guide will support the consideration of accessibility features and design when contracting with third parties to provide goods, services, and facilities on behalf of Waterloo. Tools and resources to increase awareness of accessibility, universal design for learning principles, and development of accessible information and educational materials (including tools and resources to increase capacity for digital accessibility within the online learning environment) will be developed by Waterloo for instructors of students.
G1. Updated accessibility training
Status: completed
Progress: completed
Waterloo released its new accessibility training on December 3, 2019, coinciding with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The new e-learning training course places a heavy focus on campus resources available to support each employee and university representative to become an accessibility champion. Completing this mandatory training received strong support from senior leadership, resulting in over 1,800 employees completing the training by the end of December 2019.
G2. Resource Guide for Procurement
Status: somewhat complete
Progress: behind schedule
In 2019, standard Request for Proposal language was modified to reflect the most updated requirements within the AODA.
Procurement and Contract Services also created a new section in their website titled “Accessibility”, drawing attention to the importance of considering persons with disabilities when looking at purchasing goods and/or services. A resource checklist for procuring IT hardware and software has been posted on the Procurement and Contract Services website. Expansion of this toolkit will occur over the next several months, including checklists for procuring accessible goods, facilities, contracting services, etc. Progress on checklists is dependent on resource availability.
G3. Accessible Information and Educational material
Status: completed
Progress: completed
Waterloo’s Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) is a highly regarded department that promotes an institutional culture that values effective teaching and meaningful learning. Instructors across all ranks have turned to CTE to receive guidance and support in ensuring quality in delivery of information. CTE has taken great strides to integrate accessibility in all of their resources and workshop materials. In Spring 2019, CTE created an online resource on accessibility in teaching. Included are relevant sites from Ontario, Waterloo, and several higher education institutions, along with new checklists to help instructors to create accessible Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and face-to-face presentations. This publicly available and accessible resource demonstrates the strides Waterloo is taking to support the creation and development of accessible educational and teaching materials.
