About the Accessibility Committee
Advisory to the Associate Provost, Human Resources, the Accessibility Committee provides a forum for consultation and collaboration on campus-wide initiatives relative to improving the University’s accessibility for persons with disabilities whether they be employees, students, visitors, or members of the general public. Compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is a foundational focus for the Accessibility Committee and where possible, members will consider inclusive practices that extend beyond a state of AODA compliance.
Membership
The Accessibility Committee consists of at least one representative from each of the Faculty and Staff Associations, CUPE Local 793, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, and the Graduate Students Association. In addition, representatives from University departments have been selected based on their involvement with and influence over campus accessibility issues for persons with disabilities.
The most current members of the Accessibility Committee are:
| Name | Area of representation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association representatives | Doug Turnbull | CUPE Local 793 | |
| Amanda Fitzpatrick | Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) | ||
| Katie Damphouse | Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) | ||
| Zara Rafferty | Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) | ||
| Fatima Suleiman | Graduate Student Association (GSA) | ||
| Annette Denny | University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) | ||
| Departments | Jennifer Gillies | Associate Director | AccessAbility Services |
| Angela Rooke | Manager, Graduate and Postdoctoral Experience | Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs | |
| Lee Hornberger (Chair) | Director, Total Compensation | Human Resources | |
|
Joyce Barlow (Secretary) |
AODA Specialist | Human Resources | |
| Emily Burnell | Equity Coordinator | Human Rights Equity and Inclusion | |
| Liam Morland | Web Accessibility Consultant | Information Systems & Technology | |
| Victoria Chu | Associate University Librarian, Learning, Research and User Services | Library | |
| Sarah Murray | Library Accessibility Services Coordinator and AODA Advisor, Adaptive Technology Centre | Library | |
| Rob Hunsperger | Director, Design and Construction Services | Plant Operations | |
| Jennifer Coghlin | Associate Registrar, Enrolment Services & Academic Policy | Registrar | |
| Pam Charbonneau | Director, Student Success | Student Success Office | |
In addition to the above members, other individuals within the University may be called upon from time to time to serve as members of working groups, or to complete actions decided by the Accessibility Committee and approved by executive leadership.
Mandate
The Accessibility Committee meets on a monthly basis and provides regular progress reports to the Associate Provost, Human Resources and other members of executive leadership, as necessary. Initially the Committee’s priorities include the following:
- Provide guidance and support for completing biennial Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compliance reports
- Support the development of a legislatively required accessibility policy that serves as a commitment by the University to remove and prevent barriers to employment, education and other services; while respecting the dignity and right to privacy of persons with disabilities
- Support the development and maintenance of a legislatively required Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) which will identify opportunities for improvement against each requirement within the AODA standards (i.e. Customer Service, Employment, Information and Communication, and Public Spaces)
- Recommend the tasks/initiatives to meet plans identified within MYAP, including suggested members of Working Groups; monitor progress towards achievement of plans
- Establish a campus community engagement strategy to appropriately include persons with disabilities in accessibility initiatives
- Collect and discuss feedback from interested parties on an ongoing basis
