Disability Affinity Program

The Disability Affinity Program is a space for University of Waterloo students, staff, and faculty to seek peer support, community, and collaboration. The Disability Affinity Program comprises three different networks: the Student Disability Community Network, the Employee Disability Community Network, and the Accessibility Ally Network. 

The Student Disability Community Network and the Employee Disability Community Network host meetings for persons with lived experience of disability to build community, connect with peers, and share knowledge.

The Accessibility Ally Network hosts monthly meetings for those with accessibility mandates or ambitions, academic areas of expertise, and/or disability-lived experiences to collaborate and exchange knowledge through presentations and discussions.

If you need accessibility supports for a specific event or meeting, please reach out to aoda@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 x43428. 

There are opportunities for members of the University of Waterloo community to engage with the advancement of accessibility and disability inclusion across our campuses, including we work towards AODA consultation requirements (such as the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, development of physical spaces, etc.), the proposed AODA Postsecondary Education Standards, and other University strategic initiatives. Opportunities for consultation and community engagement with campus projects will be promoted to members of the Disability Community Networks and the Accessibility Ally Network through email newsletters and be discussed during Network meetings.

If you would like to promote your community engagement opportunity to the Disability Affinity Program, please fill out the Promote Your Community Engagement Opportunity web form or contact aoda@uwaterloo.ca.

The Disability Community Network is a university-wide initiative with the goal of creating space for community members with disabilities to seek peer support, knowledge exchange, and community. The Disability Community Network is open to all persons with current lived experience of disability, including apparent and non-apparent disabilities. These informal networks meet monthly, alternating between in-person and virtual meetings.

Terms of Reference - Student Disability Community Network (MS Word)

Terms of Reference - Employee Disability Community Network (MS Word)

Communications about the Student Disability Community Network or the Employee Disability Community Network are sent out through a confidential Mailchimp mailing list. Please sign up for one of the mailing lists using the button below.