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Building an Inclusive & Accessible Community

McMaster Accessibility Plan

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2012-2025



Section 4: McMaster Accessibility Report Card

Barriers Previously Addressed

Many improvements have been made over the years at McMaster with regard to physical access, policies, staffing, etc. Some of the more notable items are listed below, but this list is not exhaustive. Where possible dates have been identified.  The progress of accessibility achievements at McMaster is categorized in accordance with the five AODA focus areas, and further sub-divided in terms of those barrier-removal initiatives that were undertake pre- and post- the enactment of the AODA.  This list reflects accessibility initiatives that are not specifically prescribed under the AODA regulations.  For tracking compliance with AODA regulations, please refer to the chart in section 3 (a) in the Accessibility Plan.


Customer Service Standard

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Pre-AODA Initiatives
  • Open Forum meetings and disability-specific presentations provided to faculty and department heads
  • Poster campaign with McMaster students with disabilities (2003, 2004, 2005)
  • Consultation with the Senior Management Team of the University regarding obligations under the Ontarian’s with Disabilities Act (2001), the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) and Human Rights. A plan will be presented to bring the ODA annual plans into the University’s annual budget cycle.
  • Volunteer note-taker services developed for students with disabilities (1999)
  • Peer mentor and tutor program developed for students with learning and other disabilities (1998)

  • Senate Policy Regarding Students with Disabilities passed in 2003 highlights commitment to flexibility and creativity in accommodation of students with disabilities, both undergraduate and graduate

  • Residence contract clause developed retaining the option to reallocate residence rooms to meet accessibility needs
  • Housing and Conference Services established priority for students with disabilities in housing allocation process
  • Learning Disability Specialist funded to provide students with learning disabilities support (1993)
  • Coordinator, Library Services for Students with Disabilities converted to full time (2005). Coordinator is responsible to work with students regarding alternate text format, reference services, and material acquisition.
  • Career counselor designated to work with students with disabilities on employment and career issues. Peer support as well.
  • Peer support services coordinating one-to-one volunteer assistance, library resource support and alternate format transcription, learning support resources, and mental health support groups
  • Creation of Manager of Disability Services and University Lead on disability matters (2005)
  • Administrative support provided to the Manager of Disability Services (2005)
  • Review and refinement of Program Coordinator support to students with disabilities services within the Centre for Student Development (2005)
  • McMaster Accessibility Council established in 2009

  • President's Advisory Committee on Building an Inclusive Community (PACBIC) working group on access and accommodation established in
    2009

  • Exams Office (Office of the Registrar) assumed responsibility for administration of all December, April and deferred exam accommodations for students with disabilities
  • Special Consideration Bursary established to assist students with disabilities and administered by Student Financial Aid & Scholarships (2002)
  • Undertake a review of policies regarding part-time versus full time status in undergraduate programs for students with disabilities (2007).
Post-AODA Customer Service Initiatives
  • McMaster University Policy on Accessibility (Accessibility Policy) approved in March 2010.  This policy reflects the University’s commitment to fostering, creating and maintaining a barrier-free environment for all individuals. Further the policy provides Guidelines on specific accessibility considerations in accordance with the AODA.  The guidelines developed in line with AODA Customer Service standard include principles and protocols with respect to the following:
    1. Use of Assistive Devices
    2. Service Animals and Support Persons
    3. Notice of Temporary Disruptions in Service
    4. Providing Feedback and Complaints

Built Environment Standard

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Pre-AODA Initiatives
  • Residence buildings designed and built with level access, elevators, accessible washrooms and laundry facilities, with adjoining rooms for attendant care when required (2003)
  • Ramp to Chester New Hall (2004)
  • Renovations to Hamilton Hall accessible washrooms, improved accessibility (2005)
  • McMaster University Student Centre – Centre for Student Development and Student Health Services located in this new facility (2001)
  • Renovations to Alumni Memorial Hall to make it accessible (2004)
  • Elevator for access to University Hall (1992)
  • Accessibility audit of Ivor Wynne Centre (2004)
  • Signage improvement campaign (2004-2005)
  • Automatic door operators installed at all necessary building entrances (annually)
  • Attendant-style single use wheelchair accessible washrooms addressed in all academic buildings on campus (annually)
  • Classroom retrofits with accessible work stations (annually)
  • Parking policy to adopt numerous accessible parking spaces (1990)
  • Change rooms in Ivor Wynne Centre modified for access (2003)
  • Information Technology building access provided with ramp to the building’s main entrance, and additional classroom modifications
  • Elevator installed in the mezzanine of the Ivor Wynne Centre
  • Lift installed in the Commons building providing second and basement floor access (1990) / upgraded in 2009
  • Use of urban Braille design on all new pedestrian walkways on campus (2005 Main entrance, and previously)
  • Completed audit for Ivor Wynne Centre and David Braley (2009)
  • Completed outdoor pathway design in Arts Quad to ensure full accessibility (2010)
  • Completed expansion of the Nuclear Research Building, including the addition of an elevator (2011)
  • Added and elevator to the expansion of the Spinal Cord Injury Clinic at Ivor Wynne Centre (2011)
  • Added a ramp to the entrance of Moulton Hall residence (2011)
  • Replaced the asphalt pathways linking University Club with Residences and Arts buildings with weather-resistance concrete (2011)
  • Incorporated several additional pedestrian pathways between McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) and Parking lots B and C (2011)
  • Replaced the signage at all University accessible lifts to identify Security Services as the resource for key access and assistance (2011)
  • Sidewalk replacement at the Main Street entrance and Forsyth Avenue South – includes the installation of three-metre sidewalks with urban Braille.  In addition, improvements to the pedestrian crosswalk at this entrance include barrier-free, raised crossing, recessed lighting within the crosswalk and pedestrian rails to guide pedestrians to marked crossings. (2012)
  • Walkway replacement near the Burke Science Building, alongside the Refectory Rathskeller Building and between Edwards Hall and Chester New Hall (2012)
  • Installation of new pedestrian three-metre wide sidewalks with urban Braille to improve access to Parking Lot E and Parking Lot I (2012)
  • Installation of a Cell Phone Waiting lot between the Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning (MDCL) and Divinity College (2012)
  • Installation of Elevator Voice Annunciators in Togo Salmon Hall, Burke Science Building and Nuclear Research Facility (2012)
  • Installation of an accessible washroom in Thode Library (2012)

  • Installation of 14 door operators in various buildings across campus (2012)

  • Upgrade fire alarms to include visual (flashing light) notification in washrooms in the Student Centre (2012)
  • Conduct a campus-wide Accessibility Audit to identity accessibility priorities to be submitted for budget approval (2012)

Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation

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General

Pre-AODA Initiatives
  • Establish an Accessibility Plan outlining how the organization achieves accessibility (2010)
  • Established and maintain a multi-year Accessibility Plan (2010)

Employment Standard

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Pre-AODA Initiatives
  • Ergonomic furniture and workstation adaptations made for faculty and staff with disabilities (as needed)
  • Establishment of an access fund, under the administration of Human Resources, for staff to support the costs of accommodation in the workplace (1991)

Information & Communications Standard

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Pre-AODA Initiatives
  • Development of assistive technology lab in Commons Basement to include more types of assistive hardware and software (2003)
  • Assistive hardware and software purchased by departments for individual use by faculty and staff with disabilities (as needed)
  • Purchase of new technologies for use by students with disabilities including a Braille laptop computer (Braille Lite), Tiger Brail embosser capable of producing tactile graphics, computer screen enhancers, text to speech software, speech to text software, closed circuit televisions, scanners, and optical character recognition software, among others (ongoing as technology changes)
  • Virtual tour and map of campus buildings and accessible entrances (under development)
  • Creation of a tactile campus map for students with visual impairments (2003)
  • Full-time Learning Strategist and full time assistive technologist provided to assist students with learning disabilities (2002)
  • Systems Administrator in the Centre for Student Development available to provide technical support to students with disabilities (1998)
  • Creation of a Campus Map Mobile Application to assist with wayfinding and routing foot travel across campus (2011)

  • Development of a Mobile version of the Student Accessibility Services website (2011)