To: Disability Inclusion Steering Committee Co-Chairs:
David DeVidi, Associate Vice-President, Academic
Jennifer Gillies, Associate Provost, Campus Support and Accessibility
Cathy Newell Kelly, Registrar
Lili Liu, Dean of Health
From: James W.E. Rush, Vice-President, Academic and Provost
Cc: Joyce Barlow, Associate Director, Campus Accessibility
Jenny Flagler-George, Executive Director
Tony Ly, Governance Officer
Megan McGarry, Manager, Internal and Leadership Communications
Kathy Smidt, Director, Internal and Leadership Communications
Date: June 13, 2025
Re: Disability Inclusion Steering Committee Final Report
Through our core mission commitments in academics and research, together with our strong differentiating commitments in co-operative education and other forms of work-integrated learning, innovation, application, and entrepreneurship, we have continuously demonstrated the value of the University of Waterloo. Waterloo’s students and employees are among the best in the world. Each brings unique experiences and expertise to the table. Waterloo is committed to leveraging these talents by creating an environment designed for everyone.
I commissioned the Disability Inclusion Steering Committee (DISCo) in 2022/23 as an advisory committee to work towards considering the 185 recommendations included in the AODA’s Post-Secondary Education Standard (the “Education Standard”) Final Recommendations Report 2022 with the understanding that while the Education Standard is not codified, the barrier areas identified in the report illuminate the everyday barriers experienced by persons with disabilities in post-secondary education. DISCo was initiated under the framework of the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Building a Resilient University of Waterloo to thoughtfully evolve a sustainable, coordinated, and empowered approach to optimize how the campus community works and studies, while embracing a culture of “One University”.
DISCo aimed to identify synergies, partnerships, resource-sharing opportunities, and collegial practices across all relevant institutional activities within nine thematic areas identified by disabled people as posing barriers to post-secondary education, including but not limited to perceptions and assumptions; assessment, curriculum, and instruction; digital learning and technology; as well as physical and financial barriers. The committee aims to identify synergies, partnerships, resource-sharing opportunities, and collegial practices across all relevant institutional activities.
Disability Inclusion Steering Committee Findings
DISCo made five core recommendations aimed at enabling the University to appropriately and effectively adhere to the existing AODA standards while building momentum towards DISCo initiatives. Below is a summary of these recommendations and preliminary actions and commitments taken to support them.
1. Establish Collaborative Leadership with Oversight on Accessibility
DISCo noted that a factor contributing to the success of the committee in meeting its mandate was the provision of executive level oversight, leading to the recommendation that an ongoing accessibility steering committee be established that includes standing membership that includes Associate Provost, Campus Support and Accessibility; the Associate Vice-President, Academic; and a rotating member of Dean’s Council, with other members selectively included based on the collaboration needs at that time. The University has accepted the recommendation, with the first rotating member of Deans’ Council to be the Associate Vice-President, Academic Operations. The participation of the AVP Academic Operations will be essential in supporting the focus of the committee on planning, budgeting, and interdisciplinary collaboration in relation to the provision of support for operational activities related to accessibility across executive-level portfolios.
2. Embed Accessibility into the Budget and Planning Process
DISCo recommended accessibility be imbedded as part of Waterloo’s planning and budgeting practices to ensure appropriate compliance with AODA. The University has accepted this recommendation, and I will send a directive to Paul Fieguth, AVP Academic Operations to ensure that accessibility is a required consideration in the upcoming planning and budgeting cycle, and ongoingly, through incorporation in templates and guidance materials developed by the Integrated Planning and Budgeting Office. Paul Fieguth’ s role on the accessibility steering committee outlined above with help to facilitate this activity.
3. Assign Executive Council Members with Ongoing Responsibility for Accessibility
Given that disability inclusion requires ongoing efforts, DISCo recommended a sustained approach of executive level responsibility for accessibility, including making AODA compliance an annual agenda item at Executive Council. The University has accepted this recommendation. An annual update on institutional initiatives, projects, plans, and policies under the umbrella of community and culture will be provided annually to Executive Council. This will include topics related to AODA compliance, as well as EDI-R, Indigenization and decolonization, employee engagement, student mental health, and student and employee experience.
4. Visible Commitment to Accessibility
DISCo recommended a regular and clear articulation of the institutional commitment to accessibility. The University has accepted this recommendation, and will continue to highlight the need for accessibility to the campus community, including bringing forward updates on campus wellness, support and accessibility, and student accessibility to the Community and Culture Committee of the Board, which is tasked with monitoring and providing oversight of programs and related policies regarding the promotion and protection of the University community in key areas within the Board’s purview.
5. Maintain Accessible Education Project
The Accessible Education Project was identified by DISCo as having made many strides towards the goal of ensuring accessible education practices become engrained in everyday planning and processes of Waterloo instructors and ASUs. To maintain this momentum, DISCo recommended a continued commitment to the Accessible Education Project. The University accepts this recommendation, and I have committed to ongoing support for a minimum of two additional years.