Accessible education matters, and as instructors and staff at the University of Guelph, you play a critical role in ensuring all students have what they need to succeed academically. On Tuesday, April 28, we’re hosting the Unlocking Support: Accessibility Services Open House. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., you’re welcome to drop-in for an informal open house with Library Accessibility Services, Student Accessibility Services (SAS), and the SAS Exam Centre. This open house will provide U of G employees with increased awareness about the support that is available for accessibility on campus, ultimately leading to more inclusive learning environments.
Knowing what support exists – and who is responsible for what – is important
“It’s not always clear which department on campus does what. We hope that by making these in-person connections, it’ll be easier for people to know who to contact for what,” said Lindsey Robinson, manager, Content and Accessibility Services, McLaughlin Library. “Many people think that at the library we’re here strictly to serve students, but we’re also here to help make learning experiences more inclusive, to answer questions, and to provide guidance to instructors on selecting and creating accessible course materials.”
SAS facilitates the process for academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities to reduce barriers to learning. “Accommodations is a shared responsibility between the student, SAS, instructors and faculty, and departments,” said Kate Cressman, manager, Student Accessibility Services, Student Wellness Services. “The goal of the accommodation is to level the playing field so that disability doesn’t create an unfair advantage.”
What to expect at the open house
At the open house, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across campus, learn more about how accessibility services work together, and discuss common questions about accessibility support on campus. Assistive technologies will also be available to test and explore, providing you with a greater understanding of how these support your students who need them.
Resources to explore and services to learn more about
Questions?
Contact us. We’re here to help.
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.