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
Just launched: The Accessible Education Hub
The Accessible Education Project is proud to announce the launch of the Accessible Education Hub - a one-stop shop webpage for information on educational guidelines and resources as they become available and identified by the project teams: https://uwaterloo.ca/accessible-education
Register to attend: Accessible Education Day
The Teaching Innovation Incubator, in collaboration with the Associate Academic Vice President is hosting a two half-day Accessible Education Day on October 16th and October 17th. Topics to be covered include legislation governing Accessibility, Post-Secondary Course Accessibility Guide, Navigating Accommodations, Universal Design for Learning, available assistive technologies, among others. Be sure to register to attend!
August Workshop Opportunity: Learning about Assistive Technologies Students Use to Support Learning
On August 15th from 10:30am-11:30am, the Centre for Teaching Excellence is hosting a workshop for instructors about Assistive Technologies Students Use to Support Learning.
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)
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)
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)
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)
David Vanderhorst, Adaptive Educational Technologist (AccessAbility Services)
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
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) | Graduate Attributes Lecturer (Chemical Engineering)
Geoffrey Shifflett, Interim 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)
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)