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, Associate 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, Continuing Lecturer (Statistics and Actuarial Science) | Teaching Fellow (Faculty of Math)
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 Timeline
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2023
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Feb
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Project approved for (Beta) Teaching Innovation Incubator
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Mar
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Project plan developed
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AODA recommendations chunked into three categories
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Project teams established: Policy & Guidelines, Instructional Programs & Practices, Learning Tools & Materials
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Apr
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Co-leads added to project team
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Jul
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Co-leads identified project team members to invite & began planning approach to addressing AODA recommendations
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Sep
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Project team members recruited and project teams formed
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Oct
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First Project Team Meetings Held
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Feb
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2024
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Jan
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Instructional Programs & Practices team working on accessibility guides for instructors
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Learning Tools & Materials team categorizing recommendations: tools, materials, UDL practices and misc. practices
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Policy & Guidelines team working toward recommendation to create a central Policy for student academic accommodations
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Jan
Project Updates
Ontario Summit for Students with Disabilities Report Available
The Ontario Summit for Students with Disabilities produced their findings from their one-day online conference in February 2024. The report shares the stories and lived experiences of over 100 students attending post-secondary institutions in Ontario with lived experience with disability.
Call for Volunteers: Join the Accessible Education User Testing Group!
The Teaching Innovation Incubator is seeking support from University of Waterloo faculty, staff, and students who have an interest in providing feedback and enhancing their knowledge about accessible education by participating in an Accessible Education User Testing Group.
Disability Inclusion Steering Committee website launched
The website for the Disability Inclusion Steering Committee (DISCo), the committee of senior University leaders who are leading UW's approach to meeting the 185 AODA recommendations, is now live. The Accessible Education project is just one example of how DISCo has identified an approach to meeting its accessibility goals. Read more about the broad work of DISCo.
Accessible Education User Testing Group FAQ
Interested in joining the Accessible Education User Testing Group but have questions? Here are FAQ:
- Will students be compensated for their time and efforts as a member of the user testing group?
Yes, the Teaching Innovation Incubator will provide compensation for students involved in user testing. Students can expect to receive an hourly rate of $25 for their involvement in the user testing group's hour-long feedback solicitation sessions (i.e. students will be paid $25 for each feedback session they participate in).
2. Who can join the Accessible Education User Testing Group?
Faculty, staff, and students are welcome to join the User Testing Group. Two separate User Groups will be developed: one-student oriented and one-faculty oriented.
3. What is the time commitment for the User Testing Group?
Due to the nature of the Accessible Education project and the resources and processes being developed, there will be no standard period of time during which members of the User Testing Group will be asked to be available.
For more information, please review the Accessible Education User Testing Group Terms of Reference.
Instructional Programs & Practices Team
Donna Ellis (Co-Lead), Director (Centre for Teaching Excellence)
Diana Skrzydlo (Co-Lead), Continuing Lecturer (Statistics and Actuarial Science) | Teaching Fellow (Faculty of Math)
Katherine Acheson, Professor (English) | Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies (Arts)
Christine Barbeau, Continuing Lecturer (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)
Josslyn Gabriel, Equity Specialist (Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism)
Carol Hulls, Associate Dean, Teaching (Engineering) | Continuing Lecturer (Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering)
Laura Ingram, Lecturer (Chemistry) | Chemistry Undergraduate Advisor
Zille Huma Kamal, Lecturer (Computer Science)
Jennifer O'Brien, Learning Strategist (AccessAbility Services)
David Vanderhorst, Adaptive Educational Technologist (AccessAbility Services)
Pia Zeni, Senior Manager, Strategic Projects (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)
Iva Badjari, Associate Director, Digital Communications (University Relations)
Michael Clark, Coordinator, Accessibility and Information Resources (Library)
Daspina Fefekos, Computing Consultant, Learning Environment Specialist (Instructional Technologies and Media Services)
Leeann Ferries, Continuing Lecturer (Recreation and Leisure Studies) | Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies (Health)
Matt Justice, Associate Director, Digital Learning Production (Centre for Extended Learning)
Jason Thompson, Liaison, Faculty of Science (Centre for Teaching Excellence)
Christine Zaza, Workplace Accessibility Specialist (Human Resources)
Policy & Guidelines Team
Jennifer Coghlin (Co-Lead), Associate Registrar, Enrolment Services & Academic Policy (Registrar's Office)
David DeVidi (Co-Lead), Associate Professor (Philosophy) | Associate Vice-President, Academic
Jay Dolmage, Professor & Chair (English Language and Literature)
Jennifer Gillies, Director (AccessAbility Services)
Jason Grove, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies (Engineering) | Graduate Attributes Lecturer (Chemical Engineering)
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)
Project Resources
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)