Project Goals/Deliverables
Support the creation of a teaching and learning environment in which innovative, accessible education practices are valued and supported, and so are tried, assessed, and improved over time.
Position accessible education as a road to better teaching and learning for everyone, not merely a regulatory approval matter.
Rethink how we do things so that accessibility is part of the development process, rather than an “add on” to practice.
Promote long-lasting change in program, instructor, and student mindset with respect to accessible education.
Recognize that the disability community contributes to our diversity and re-imagining our teaching and learning approaches is required to fully include all identities.
Project Team
Joyce Barlow, Associate Director, Disability Inclusion (Human Resources)
Aldo Caputo, Director (Centre for Extended Learning)
Jennifer Coghlin, Associate Registrar, Enrolment Services & Academic Policy (Registrar's Office)
David DeVidi, Professor (Philosophy) | Associate Vice-President, Academic
Donna Ellis, Director (Centre for Teaching Excellence)
Rob Hill, Associate Professor (Physics and Astronomy) | Teaching Fellow (Faculty of Science)
Diana Skrzydlo, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream (Statistics and Actuarial Science) | Teaching Fellow (Faculty of Math)
Project Resources
New:Accessible Teaching website
New:Report on Impacts of Inaccessibility in PSE
Website for Disability Inclusion Steering Committee (DISCo)
List of Accessibility Initiatives at Waterloo
Open Call for Accessible Education User Testing Groups
Accessible Education User Testing Groups - Terms of Reference
Open Call for Instructional Programs and Practices project team members (now closed)
Connect with the AEP team!
Inquiries about the AEP can be directed to tii@uwaterloo.ca
Project Summary
Based on the principle that accessible education is better education, UW envisions a post-secondary education experience for learners where accessibility is at the forefront of what we do. Leveraging the AODA's post-secondary education standard recommendations that were written by experts with disability lived experience in post-secondary education sector, the Teaching Innovation Incubator is supporting the Accessible Education project to ensure that the University of Waterloo is a leader in promoting accessibility in our teaching and learning.
Project Background
The Accessible Education Project team comprises of three sub-project teams who are working collaboratively with the support of the Teaching Innovation Incubator to think through (1) instructional programs and practices, (2) learning tools and materials, and (3) policies and guidelines related to our delivery of education. Our goal is to improve accessibility for everyone while refining and expanding on the ways we approach disability inclusion.
Project Updates
Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025: Join Us For Two Virtual Events
The University of Waterloo’s Teaching Innovation Incubator (TII) — which has been advancing accessibility in teaching and learning since 2022 — is pleased to highlight and invite you to two timely virtual events on December 2nd and 3rd, 2025, for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). These sessions invite our community to learn, reflect, and participate in meaningful conversations that support more inclusive educational experiences.
Click on the title to learn more.
The Wicked Problem of Accessibility Symposium
Learn about the incredible posters showcased at the Wicked Problem of Accessibility symposium.
Attend the Integrated Accessibility Retreat (facilitated by CTE and CEL)
Waterloo faculty are invited to register for the July Integrated Accessibility Retreat, co-facilitated by staff at the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Centre for Extended Learning.
The Wicked Problem of Accessibility Course Launches
Announcing the launch of the Wicked Problems of Accessibility course for the Spring 2025 term!
Accessibility in Teaching and Learning Series: Accessibility in Group Work
Join Rob Gorbet for the Enhancing Accessibility in Teaching and Learning Series! This online webinar will showcase how to design and implement group work with accessibility in mind. It will also give examples of how to navigate common issues that arise when accommodations impact a student’s ability to work in groups.
Instructional Programs & Practices Team
Donna Ellis (Co-Lead), Director (Centre for Teaching Excellence)
Diana Skrzydlo (Co-Lead), Associate Professor, Teaching Stream (Statistics and Actuarial Science) | Teaching Fellow (Faculty of Math)
Katherine Acheson, Professor (English) | Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies (Arts)
Christine Barbeau, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream (School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability) | Associate Dean, Teaching (Environment)
Hilary Bergsieker, Associate Professor (Psychology)
Mike Chee, Librarian, Information Services and Resources (Library)
Angela Christelis, Director (Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement)
Victoria Feth, Educational Developer, Curriculum: Accessibility and Inclusion (Centre for Teaching Excellence)
Carol Hulls, Associate Dean, Teaching (Engineering) | Associate Professor, Teaching Stream (Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering)
Laura Ingram, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream (Chemistry) | Chemistry Undergraduate Advisor
Zille Huma Kamal, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream (Computer Science)
Jennifer O'Brien, Learning Strategist (AccessAbility Services)
Pia Zeni, Associate Director, Digital and Online Learning (Centre for Extended Learning)
Learning Tools & Materials
Aldo Caputo (Co-Lead), Director (Centre for Extended Learning)
Rob Hill (Co-Lead), Associate Professor (Physics and Astronomy) | Teaching Fellow (Faculty of Science)
Michael Clark, Coordinator, Accessibility and Information Resources (Library)
Daspina Fefekos, Computing Consultant, Learning Environment Specialist (Instructional Technologies and Media Services)
Leeann Ferries, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream (Recreation and Leisure Studies) | Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies (Health)
Matt Justice, Associate Director, Digital Learning Systems (Centre for Extended Learning)
Jason Thompson, Liaison, Faculty of Science (Centre for Teaching Excellence)
David Vanderhorst, Adaptive Educational Technologist (AccessAbility Services)
Christine Zaza, Online Learning Consultant (Centre for Extended Learning)
Policy & Guidelines Team
Jennifer Coghlin (Co-Lead), Associate Registrar, Enrolment Services & Academic Policy (Registrar's Office)
David DeVidi (Co-Lead), Professor (Philosophy) | Associate Vice-President, Academic
Graham Brown, Associate University Secretary (Policy and Special Projects) (Secretariat)
Jay Dolmage, Professor & Chair (English Language and Literature)
Jennifer Gillies, Associate Provost, Campus Support and Accessibility
Jason Grove, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies (Engineering) | Associate Professor, Teaching Stream (Chemical Engineering)
Geoffrey Shifflett, Director (AccessAbility Services)
Nadia Singh, Director, Policy Planning and Decision Support (Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning and Policy)
Kari Weaver, Learning, Teaching, and Instructional Design Librarian (Library)
Tim Weber-Kraljevski, Governance Officer (Secretariat)
Kate Mercer, Liaison Librarian