Message from the Accessibility Advisory Committee
¹û½´ÊÓƵ University commits to an inclusive and equitable living, learning, working and playing environment for our students, staff, faculty and community. We recognize the importance of creating inclusive spaces, services and communities which are core to our equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility goals.
¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s first Accessibility Plan, released in April 2022, includes an integral focus on awareness and capacity building intended to foster a culture of accessibility and equity; encourage and facilitate the prevention and removal of barriers to participation; and build capacity in these areas among employees and students.
Measurable progress has been made over the years, through changes to policies, organizational structures, classrooms and meeting spaces, services and resources.
We are excited to share the progress of our Accessibility Plan – a testament to our commitment to creating an accessible environment for all. This report highlights the progress we've made, the work yet to come, and the innovative and person-centred solutions we've implemented to facilitate a thriving community.
Thank you for joining us as we continue this important journey towards greater accessibility and inclusivity. Your support and feedback are invaluable as we work together to build a more accessible ¹û½´ÊÓƵ.
Quenta Adams
Assistant Vice Provost, Student Engagement and Success, Student Affairs; Co-chair, Accessibility Advisory Committee and Co-chair, African Nova Scotian Strategy
Built environment
Our commitment: Buildings and outdoor spaces on ¹û½´ÊÓƵ University's campuses provide meaningful access for intended users.
Our progress
Established accessibility criteria in three Facilities Management Design Guideline documents to enhance accessibility for built environment projects.
Developed a (Facilities Management and the University Libraries GIS Centre).Ìý
Established snow removal procedures that prioritized accessible entrances.Ìý
Developed and released ¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s first Shelter-in-Place Program that established a plan to ensure the safety of people with disabilities during the activation of a fire alarm or the onset of a power outage, or major construction that limits access.Ìý
Installed emergency maintenance communication signage in all accessible washrooms across all four campuses.Ìý
Installed accessible picnic tables across all four campuses at various locations.Ìý
Removed 2,000 built environment barriers across all four campuses as part of ongoing infrastructure renovations. Barrier removal was captured in Facilities Management’s annual Accessibility Audit Program between April 2022 and March 2023.Ìý
Created an accessible Chemistry Laboratory suite, which included the first electric height-adjustable fume hood on campus; a partnership between the Accessibility Centre, Environmental Health and Safety Office, Facilities Management and the Department of Chemistry.Ìý
Facilities Management responded to multiple service requests regarding student accommodations (examples include retrofitting sinks in the Chemistry lab with emergency eyewash stations), accessible power door operators, and accessible furniture in classrooms.ÌýÌý
Teaching, learning, and research
Our commitment: ¹û½´ÊÓƵ University is a leader in inclusive and accessible teaching and learning, and collaborative research on accessibility. 
Our progress
Developed student staff training programming to include accessibility-related resources available through both the University and provincial government.Ìý
Created an Accessibility in Course Design Policy Task Force and Advisory Group.
Launched a Student Accommodation Policy Review Task Force. Through consultation, an environmental scan, and a standards review, the Task Force will assess our institutional response to student accommodation requests and subsequent implementation, student rights and responsibilities when engaging accommodation processes, and how we reflect a broader institutional commitment to accessibility.Ìý
Hosted a kick-off event for Able after Dal, a career transition program for students entering the workforce or students seeking work-integrated learning experiences. The Accessibility and Employment panel featured employers committed to recruiting individuals with disabilities, removing barriers, and ensuring an inclusive work environment. The panel also featured Dal students sharing their experience navigating disability on their path to career readiness. The event was supported by Lime Connect, several industry partners and the Public Service Commission of Canada.Ìý
Developed and adopted a document focusing on accessible event practices
Hosted Transformative Pedagogies Retreat sessions on disability and accessible language in the classroom, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and learning outcomes/assessment, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for accessibility, accessible pedagogy and critical disability theory, assistive technologies and student learning.
Provided a rollout of accessible features of the Microsoft 365 suite of tools to include transcription and subtitle services.
Established a working group within the research and academic units to work towards the provincial accessibility recommendations.
Researched the process researchers use to obtain accommodations for their working environments.Ìý
Created additional reporting for research centres and institutes to address disability studies.
Goods and services
Our commitment: Students, employees, and visitors with disabilities or others who experience barriers to accessibility have equitable access to goods and services provided by ¹û½´ÊÓƵ University.
Our progress
Provided accommodations to students and staff working and living in residence such as standing desks, larger beds, and emotional support animals.Ìý
Information Technology Services continued to research and investigate increased use of virtual lab environments that will provide ¹û½´ÊÓƵ-imaged computer environments without requiring the student to come to a physical lab in a building on campus.
¹û½´ÊÓƵ Arts Centre completed a draft guideline for accessible guest experiences as the leading component of a new guest experience standard and has registered as a participating venue with the Easter Seals Canada’s Access2 program. Management and supervisory staff participated in EDIA foundations training.
Provided a Procure to Pay (P2P) platform DalBuy that has been on going, which made the procurement of goods and services more accessible for users (employees) and the supplies streamline buying and paying process.Ìý
Information and communication
Our commitment: Ensuring all people can receive, understand, and share the information provided by ¹û½´ÊÓƵ University.
Our progress
School of Social Work provided all readings in reader ready formats, communication in audio and text format, as well as larger print materials.
Provided communications to Housing and Campus Connections students and staff in a format that met their accommodated needs.ÌýÌý
Completed a pilot program for the use of Microsoft Co-pilot within ¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s email, Teams and other parts of the Microsoft suite.Ìý The Co-pilot tool brings a new level of accessibility to the faculty, students and staff.
Transportation
Our commitment: Transportation provided to ¹û½´ÊÓƵ employees and students is accessible.
Our progress
Truro campus
- Initiated repairs on the Agricultural campus
- Created accessible street crossings, widened pedestrian sidewalks, installed tactile attention indicators, and upgraded accessible parking stalls on Cumming Drive and Horseshoe Crescent.Ìý
- Created an accessible exterior approach and building entrance for Jenkins Hall, including a re-graded and widened sidewalk.
- Renewed MacRae Library parking lot, that includes wider accessible crossings, additional accessible parking, and upgraded signage.
Ìý
Halifax Campuses
Renewed exterior pedestrian sidewalks including stair removals, ramp renewals, and sidewalk repairs around the Life Sciences Centre.
Repaired damaged sidewalks across all campuses
Installed tactile attention indicators at internal street crossings.
Employment
Our commitment: ¹û½´ÊÓƵ University is an accessible and equitable employer, supporting the careers of employees with disabilities or others who experience barriers to accessibility, and ensures their employees reflect the diversity of Nova Scotians.
Our progress
School of Social Work provided all readings in reader ready formats, communication in audio and text format, as well as larger print materials.
Provided communications to Housing and Campus Connections students and staff in a format that met their accommodated needs.ÌýÌý
Completed a pilot program for the use of Microsoft Co-pilot within ¹û½´ÊÓƵ’s email, Teams and other parts of the Microsoft suite.Ìý The Co-pilot tool brings a new level of accessibility to the faculty, students and staff.
More to explore
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