During hiring, applicants are made aware that accommodations are available for those with a disability.

Transcription

1 MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN ANNUAL STATUS REPORT 2015 As set forth in the Integrated Accessibility Standards, Regulation 191/11, Niagara College prepared a multi-year Accessibility Plan from 2013 to 2015 to address issues and barriers preventing persons with disabilities from participating fully in our college community. The plan, which ended December 31, 2015, outlined our intentions to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility, as well as our strategy in meeting the various requirements under the AODA legislation. The multi-year plan can be accessed online at The following is a status report which summarizes activities and projects undertaken during 2015 that enhanced accessibility and/or prevented and removed barriers to persons with disabilities who use the services and facilities of Niagara College.» Academic Quality & Centre for Academic Excellence (CAE) The CAE continues to ensure staff are trained and follow AODA guidelines re: Accessibility Plan. The Centre does not typically service students, however any students that do come through the Centre are provided with the same accessibility standards as NC employees. If needed the Centre will provide accessible or conversion-ready formats of print resources or materials to any persons with a disability upon request. We will also ensure that any software purchased to support the Centre and Centre s services will be AODA compliant. We have ensured that our website and web content follow guidelines as set with our NiagaraCollege.ca website which now meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The staff of the CAE advocates for and provides guidance and referral to faculty in the production and use of AODA-compliant print and web-based resources to support curriculum development, delivery and review at Niagara College. During hiring, applicants are made aware that accommodations are available for those with a disability.» Athletics & Recreation Athletics & Recreation currently manages goknights.ca, a website hosted externally by PrestoSports. With a redesign of the webpage to adjust some branding and content issues Page 1 of 7

2 completed, extra measures are in place to ensure that the new website is AODA compliant, both on desktop and mobile devices. Capital Planning for the new and/or renovated facilities at both the Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland Campuses will address accessibility issues involving entry points, change rooms, equipment, and client services. The staffing model for the Welland Campus Athletic Centre has introduced a part-time staff member who is CSEP-CEP certified. This staff member is able to work with the complete student population, provided guidance on exercise techniques as well as personal training programs. This staff member currently supervises placement students from the FHP and ESHP academic programs who also provide personal training programs for the complete student population.» Facilities Management Services (FMS) Accessibility work completed in 2015: Nosing replacement on stairs at Lundy boardroom (L200) stairs and Lundy Foyer (Near cafeteria washrooms). Merritt handrail replacement on upper and lower ramp. Platform installation in S150 and S160 tiered lecture rooms for accessible seating. Braille signage installation at Niagara Falls Campus washroom locations Changed the lettering size on the parking lot entrance signs in order to make them more visible and now reflective. New accessible door controls for W206, the SAC Admin office (Niagara-on-the-Lake), the female washroom (Benchmark Restaurant) and the male washroom (Benchmark). New accessible hand dryers in the female washroom (Benchmark) and the male washroom (Benchmark). Installation of an accessible urinal in the male washroom at the Benchmark. Accessible water filling station/drinking fountain at the Niagara Falls campus. New accessible picnic tables located on the patio of the AHI. Accessible door controls installed on Welland Campus in: o Entrance to S302 o Entrance to S302A o Hallway doors at S320 o Entrance to L17 o South Entrance door to Merritt Building o Entrance to M102 o Entrance to AH127 Page 2 of 7

3 » Human Resources Training Niagara College continues to use three training modules to deliver accessibility training to all staff in the areas of Customer Service, Educator Awareness for Accessible Documents, and the Integrated AODA Standards (which includes training on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with a disability). These modules were initially launched over the period between 2010 and 2013, and training is ongoing. It is a requirement of employment that this training be completed by employees within one month of hire. Return to Work and Individual Accommodation Plans The College is utilizing a standardized process for developing individual accommodation plans for employees with disabilities who have requested an accommodation. This process is outlined in our Disability Management Practice, and has allowed us to consistently address all accommodation requests and with appropriate input from the requesting employee. Recruitment Recruitment processes continue to adapt to accessibility needs through all stages of hiring. As further implementation of our Applicant Tracking System continued, we ensured that all information in job postings align with accessibility requirements. Candidates being invited for interviews are individually asked if they require any accommodation for any component of their interview. As a result of these initiatives, we have received and successfully accommodated requests made by job candidates with disabilities. As well, an internal tracking process has been developed to assist us in future accommodation requests. Accessible Documents Upon request, we will provide documents produced at Niagara College in an accessible format or with communication supports. The department where the document was created will consult with the requester to determine a suitable format, and it will be provided in a timely manner and at no additional cost to the individual. A series of resources for teachers to use in the classroom and online are available through our Centre for Academic Excellence. These resources are available to all staff, and provide assistance with creating accessible documents, and follow the principals of Universal Instructional Design. Sessions have continued to be offered to interested staff by an Accessibility Consultant providing training on how to create accessible documents. Provincial College Group Niagara College has maintained active membership on the Accessibility and AODA Committee for Colleges. This is a provincial group with representation from most Ontario Colleges, which meets monthly to discuss accessibility at our colleges and to work collaboratively on various compliance issues. Page 3 of 7

4 AODA Web Section on College Website The college website contains a section that provides centralized information on accessibility and AODA issues. This page is updated periodically as more information and resources become available, and as compliance initiatives evolve. Feedback Process All departments have been notified that the processes for receiving and responding to feedback throughout the college must be made accessible to persons with disabilities by providing for the provision of accessible formats and/or communications supports upon request. Each area will take the appropriate steps to respond to requestors in a timely manner.» Information and Technology Services (ITS) ITS Accessibility Changes 2015 Staff at ITS Help Desk provided with accessible document training. All newly acquired software is required to be AODA compliant. Coordinating passwords (new password reset software) for students between. Blackboard and so that it is easier to keep things synchronized. College web site is fully responsive and ITS Web site redesigned and responsive. Working on new Portal project looking at responsive portal and more accessible student self-service applications (fully AODA compliant) as well as continued expansion of off campus accessibility to technology remote desktops, access to files, streaming. server fully external. All computer labs have adaptive technology functionality available. Looking at accessible/adaptive podiums for Capital Vision. Wireless upgrade provides more stable and greater accessibility for wireless devices. Classroom sound and projection quality moved to fully digital and this has improved. delivery in in approximately 20% of rooms so far. Looking at video lecture capture system for 10 existing and all new classrooms next year for class lectures to be recorded and available for students to review» Library NC Libraries participated in a pilot project in 15/16, (managed jointly by Heads of Libraries and Learning Resources and the Ontario Colleges Library Service, in partnership with Ontario Council of University Libraries, to offer library resources in accessible format. Students registered via the Centre for Students with Disabilities can request print library resources in alternate formats via the library. The requests are handled via OCUL, who created a database of the digitized titles, to be shared by participating libraries. Library eresources Accessibility Project: This is a joint project with the Ontario Colleges Library Service. The primary purpose of the Library eresources Accessibility Project (LEAP) is to assist Ontario college libraries in upholding accessibility best practices and becoming compliant with Page 4 of 7

5 the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), particularly the January 1, 2020 deadline for ensuring the accessibility of electronic resources (IASR, 2011, s. 18(3)). The pilot project has just begun and will continue over the next few years.» Marketing and Communications AODA compliance for the Niagara College website was completed by the January 1, 2014 deadline. Since then, we have continued to implement accessible code in ongoing maintenance of our current website and in any new website projects. A new mobile-friendly and accessible Niagara College website was developed and launched on September 21, This website allows editors throughout the college to complete their own content edits. A new workflow process system is being implemented which will ensure that content added by editors is accessible.» Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC) The NCSAC is committed to excellence in serving all customers including people with disabilities and will at all times provide its goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. Reference: Policies and Procedures Manual and Accessible Customer Service Plan Policy Statement.» Security and Parking Services and Occupational Health and Safety Department The Campus Safety and Parking Services Department is working to achieve an accessible and barrier-free campus. The department is committed in assessing its policies, programs, practices and services to identify, remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities. Campus Safety and Parking Services website has been updated to comply with AODA requirements. Emergency response procedures, handbooks and emergency management public plans are available in accessible formats upon request. Personal safety plans including a new accessible template and training has been provided to all contract security guards by the service provider, Paragon Security.» Student Residence, managed by Campus Living Centres (CLC) CLC is committed to serving all customers including people with disabilities, providing goods and services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities. Reference: STATEMENT OF POLICY & PROCEDURES Campus Living Centres Inc. Human Resources: ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS - CUSTOMER SERVICE document.» Student Services Mental Health Framework Page 5 of 7

6 Niagara College supports a mentally healthy campus community. The development of a systemic Mental Health Framework began in 2014, and will be implemented with the development of a Student Mental Health Steering Committee in The Framework identifies ways in which Niagara College can reduce stigma regarding mental illness, remove barriers, and promote mental wellness on-campus and within our community. Mental Health First Aid Training is currently provided to staff on an ongoing basis through the Centre for Professional Development, facilitated by counsellors. Good2Talk Student Services actively promotes Good2Talk, a 24/7 professional tele-counselling and crisis service to students. International Student Support Program This 24/7/365 day program is available for international students who require support for mental wellness. More Feet on the Ground Initiative This initiative is in partnership with Brock University. Phase II of a 3-year project was completed in March An on-line mental health training component for faculty, advisors and peer mentors is now available through Niagara College Blackboard. Students with Disabilities Practice Niagara College s Students with Disabilities practice and related processes have been revised to enhance and improve the accommodation process for students with disabilities. The practice serves as a resource document for staff and Faculty and creates awareness around the processes and the resources available for students requiring academic accommodations and services. Student Feedback System The Centre for Students with Disabilities has implemented a feedback survey system to assess the effectiveness and accessibility of delivered accommodations. This student feedback system will be key in supporting continuous improvement of services offered to students. Mental Health Awareness Week This took place in October The Student Success Centre staff worked closely with SAC and community partners to deliver a variety of on-campus activities promoting student mental health, encouraging awareness and reducing the stigma regarding mental illness including: The Yellow Umbrella Program The Mental Health Fair that was comprised of Niagara College services and community providers who provided information and healthy stress-reducing activities for students and staff Friendship Bench Program - Niagara College launched this year s Mental Health Awareness week on October 5, 2015 with the unveiling of the yellow friendship bench at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus. The bench serves as a reminder for students and the college community that support for mental health is as close as a conversation with another person. Additional information about this program can be found by clicking here. Page 6 of 7

7 During 2015, Niagara College provided support and accommodations to 1015 students with documented disabilities, including over 3,000 test accommodations to support student learning and success. The Centre for Students with Disabilities continues to purchase and provide assistive technology equipment/software as required to enhance students learning in the classroom and in testing situations. The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Survey includes a question on Disability Services. Regarding this service, students in 2015 rated their experience at Niagara College as 73.8% satisfied or very satisfied (in comparison to the provincial average of 70.3% for this service). Page 7 of 7