Acessibility Framework, 2022-27

NSCAD develops and implements policies and procedures that will incorporate the basic principles of accessibility — dignity, independence, integration and equity.

2022-27 Initiatives

• Develop multi-year institutional accessibility plan (annually reviewed).
• Develop accessibility policy and associated administrative procedures.
• Campaign to promote and raise awareness of the accessibility policy and administrative procedures
• Create mechanism for employees to raise awareness of Accessibility Policy and associated administrative procedures, with special attention to onboarding new employees.
• Update policy and guidelines on accommodations measures for students with disabilities.
• Implement guidelines for work placements involving students with disabilities.
• Campaign to promote and raise awareness of policy and guidelines on accommodations measures for students with disabilities.
• Communicate best practices for creating accessible events.

Proposed Actions (Reviewed by Accessibility Committee)

• Appoint a dedicated and staff position with relevant expertise on accessibility to provide support to students requiring disability support and offer guidance to university staff and faculty on UDL, responsibilities, etc.

• Define and identify barriers to awareness and capacity building (attitudinal, communication, systemic/organizational, technological, physical).

• Work collaboratively with NSCAD Accessibility and Accommodations Committee to develop programs and initiatives as well as bring awareness to accessibility from the first voice perspective.

• Consider and implement feasible recommendations from the Reachability report which was gathered from the perspective and first voice of NSCAD staff, student and faculty.

• Develop and deliver awareness workshop and training opportunities for staff, faculty/instructors, technicians to improve and build capacity on accessibility and accommodations.

• Review and update current NSCAD accessibility policies, protocols and practices to fill gaps and ensure they are clear and comprehensive to all participants of accessibility and accommodation. Include process for activating the policy when necessary to resolve concerns arising from disability requests.

• Create ongoing training opportunities through specially designed foundational (and advanced) training modules on accessibility. This should be mandatory for all current and incoming NSCAD employees.

• Design an interactive, accessible webpage dedicated to NSCAD Accessibility Plan – include links to NSCAD accessibility, NS Accessibility and Canada Accessibility plans as well as list other internal and external resources.

• Include a clear and concise roadmap/timeline detailing the university’s planned path, KPI, timeline and outcomes (with descriptive ALT text of the image).

• As an added feature — short clips, videos and foundational module should be available (similar to the one on Brightspace).

• Develop evaluation tool for NSCAD general student population and students who access disability supports to provide feedback and recommendation on service and areas of improvements.

• Collaborate with the Province to advise and launch collated “Make Teaching and Learning Accessible’ guideline that will support accessibility initiatives. Complement guideline roll out with workshop to solidify learning and discussion.

• Engage student population to expand their learning about accessibility through program initiatives (such accessibility art competition with a reflection on the creative piece. ‘Disability experience’ as precursor or complement to the creating artwork. A student living with disability could provide context, if necessary). This could be an annual exercise and the winner could have their work displayed at the ALG.

• Collaborate with the provincial Accessibility Directorate to build capacity and increase awareness about the obligations of the post-secondary sector under the NS Accessibility Act.

• Attend and work collaboratively provincial PSE committees and working groups for knowledge exchange and the development of a suite or resources and tools to be used through all PSE in the province.

2022-27 Initiatives

• Provide instructors and technicians with training on creating inclusive learning environments. Develop an ongoing training program on creating inclusive learning environments.
• Provide all employees with training on the integrated standards and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Code.
• Review procurement procedures for purchasing library materials.
• Implement initiatives for obtaining accessible library resources.
• Ensure the learning management system (e.g., Brightspace, Teams) is an accessible platform for online courses and meetings.
• Provide training to instructional designers on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0).
• Provide training on creating accessible documents to university employees, current software includes MS Word, PowerPoint and PDF.
• Create and distribute guide for instructors to minimize the impact of learning obstacles.

Proposed Actions (Reviewed by Accessibility Committee)

• Updated course descriptions, as well as website overview information to include potential barriers for students, allowing them to make informed decisions before registering for classes.

Make all information and communications on NSCAD’s website and distributed in classrooms available in accessible alternative formats in order to maintain the dignity, independence and integration of all persons.

2022-27 Initiatives

• Ensure university website is WCAG 2.0 compliant (and maintains highest accessibility standard). and implement a process for evaluating whether NSCAD’s website Train webmasters and communications officers on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0).
• Establish a process for feedback on the accessibility of NSCAD’s website.
• Monitor quality and accessibility compliance of Web contents.
• Create process for obtaining university publications in accessible formats.
• Make emergency and safety procedures in accessible formats and provide personalized safety plans.
• Implement initiatives for improving access to technology for students with hearing disability.
• Provide training on creating accessible documents to university employees, current software includes MS Word, PowerPoint and PDF.
• Ensure all software purchased meet accessibility guidelines and can output accessible documentation/reports as required.
• Provide all employees with training on the integrated standards and the Nova Scotia Human Rights Code.

Proposed Actions (Reviewed by Accessibility Committee)

• Create interactive map using innovative ideas and digital tools to help student, staff and visitors navigate NSCAD campuses.

Incorporate principles of dignity, independence, integration and equity for all candidates and employees into processes for recruiting, hiring, retaining employees, conducting performance reviews and professional development activities.

2022-27 Initiatives

• Create and implement guidelines on providing accommodations measures to university staff.
• Develop employment equity plan to incorporate principles and values established in EDI plan and in accordance with provincial requirements.
• Launch awareness campaign and training for managers on accessibility best practices related to hiring and meeting with candidates.
• Refine HR policies, procedures and guidelines to bring them into compliance with provincial standard.
• Evaluate and review guidelines on providing accommodation measures to employees.
• Continue the development of the facilities strategy to ensure that we have accessible and inclusive facilities by 2030. The facilities strategy includes new build and renovation of existing infrastructure.
• Develop a web page on accessibility of NSCAD’s buildings.
• Create a campus accessibility plan related to architectural elements on campus.
• Review standards for the design of public spaces (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment).
• Train facilities staff to become familiar with all accessibility standards.
• Develop accessibility procedure to communicate alternate route or location of services in case of temporary closure or renovations.

Proposed Actions (Reviewed by Accessibility Committee)

• Review staffing levels to ensure sufficient support for student, staff and faculty.
• Develop onboarding practices focused on accessibility and inclusivity.

Ensure that any new construction provides accessible access.

2022-27 Initiatives

• Continue the development of the facilities strategy to ensure that we have accessible and inclusive facilities by 2030. The facilities strategy includes new build and renovation of existing infrastructure.
• Develop a Web page on accessibility of NSCAD’s buildings.
• Create a campus accessibility plan related to architectural elements on campus.
• Review standards for the design of public spaces (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment).
• Train facilities staff to become familiar with all accessibility standards.
• Develop accessibility procedure to communicate alternate route or location of services in case of temporary closure or renovations.

Proposed Actions (Reviewed by Accessibility Committee)

• Where feasible, upgrade washrooms to ensure they are gender neutral and accessible.

• Improve wayfinding on all campuses.

2022-27 Initiatives

• Work with Halifax Port Authority and Halifax Transit to reinstate the bus routes at the Port Campus (priority), including a safe pick-up and drop-off area for Access-A-Bus Services.
• Work with the City of Halifax to determine proximate locations of accessible campus parking.

2022-27 Initiatives

• Review and update procurement policy, procedures and practices to procure goods and services.
• Develop and implement Guidelines on accessible goods and services.
• Train employees responsible for purchasing on procurement procedure as it relates to accessibility.

Proposed Actions (Reviewed by Accessibility Committee)

• Identify gaps and barriers to good and services delivery through consultative process and previous ineffective practices

• Collaborate with Admissions and recruitment to identify a proactive process to initiating conversation about disability supports with incoming students

• Develop and implement guidelines (Terms of reference, MOUs) for engaging with external disability service providers (e.g., ASL interpreters to support students at university events)

• Assess NSCAD proficiency with the use of assistive technology