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Accessibility

Laurentian University is dedicated to providing equal access to goods and services in a timely manner and is committed to compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (“AODA”).

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Laurentian University is committed to creating a campus community that is safe and inclusive for all individuals. Successful learning, living, and employment outcomes are the result of a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, employees, faculty, and senior administrators. As Laurentian continues to enhance its culture of inclusiveness, it will require the recognition and support of everyone on campus to ensure the removal of barriers to accessibility.

 

What is the AODA?

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) is a piece of legislation in the Province of Ontario aimed at making the places you work, live and learn as accessible as possible.

Several standards assist in fulfilling this goal: the Customer Service Standard and the various standards within the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. Below you will find tip sheets, training modules, resources, relevant policies and our building access notices.

Looking for Laurentian University’s online AODA Training? Visit the D2L Portal to find the module.

Laurentian University Multi-Year Accessibility Plan

Read the Accessibility Plan (PDF)
Information & Communications Standard

This area of the AODA focuses on how information is communicated and accessed. It seeks to ensure that the information we provide and the ways in which we communicate that information are as accessible as possible to persons with disabilities.

Laurentian University is expected to now comply with all sections of this standard covering feedback, accessible formats and communication supports, accessible websites and our libraries.

 

Accessible formats and communication supports

Upon request, accessible formats and communication supports shall be provided in a timely manner that takes into account the person’s accessibility needs, at a cost no more than what is regular, and in consultation with the person making the request to determine the suitability of what is provided. This extends to emergency procedures, educational and training resources, and libraries of educational and training institutions, as well as the opportunity for an individual to provide feedback.

 

Resources

 

Website accessibility

As of 1 January 2014, under the AODA, public sector organizations shall make new internet websites and web content on them conform with the World Wide Web Consortium Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 to Level A. This requirement will extend to Level AA on all websites by 1 January 2021.

 

What is web accessibility?

Accessibility requirements refer to the navigation, design, and coding considerations that help visitors using different types of web-enabled devices and visitors with disabilities use the website.

The requirements of WCAG 2.0 provide criteria to assist in making websites perceivable, operable, understandable and robust for persons with various types of disabilities. These four principles are described in more detail below:

  1. Perceivable: web-based content and interface components must be presented in ways that all users can perceive. This takes into consideration the effect of colour, size, typeface and sound.
  2. Operable: all users must be able to simply and accurately manipulate all interface and navigation components, taking in account how they operate their computers.
  3. Understandable: content and interfaces must be clear so that all people can understand a website. Consistency of interface elements, intuition in appearance and operation, and plain language are part of this principle.
  4. Robust: robust websites can be reliably interpreted by a wide variety of browsers, devices and assistive technologies.

 

The following can be considered when developing new web content:

 

Further Resources:

Laurentian University offers a Mobility Lift service that can be accessed at: 705-673-6562

Built Environment Standard

The Built Environment aspect of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 will be achieved through two mechanisms: the Design of Public Spaces Standard (within the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations) and through amending the Ontario Building Code Act, 1990 (“Building Code”). 

The Design of Public Spaces Standard applies to public spaces, like outdoor eating areas and accessible parking, whereas the amendments to the Building Code cover the elements of buildings.  In both cases, the changes apply only to new or extensively renovated buildings, with some exceptions. 

The Design of Public Spaces Standard came into effect for universities and other designated public sector organizations 1 January 2016, whilst the Building Code amendments came into effect 1 January 2015.

We will incorporate accessibility features/consider accessibility for people with disabilities when designing, procuring or acquiring self-service kiosks.

 

Some useful links can be found below:

 

Resources

Illustrated Technical Guide to the Accessibility Standards Design of Public Spaces Standard, Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environment http://gaates.org/

 

Emergency Procedures

Laurentian University is committed to providing the safest possible environment for faculty, staff, students and visitors.

When a fire alarm sounds, it is mandatory that all University buildings be evacuated. Please refer to the Emergency web page, as well as the Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities document.

 

 

Notice of Disruption of Services

When there is a disruption in a particular facility or service used to allow a person with a disability to access goods, services or facilities (e.g. ramps, elevators, push-button doors) Laurentian University will promptly give notice of the disruption to the public by posting the reason for the disruption, the anticipated duration of the disruption, and a description of alternative facilities or services that may be available.

This posting will be in a conspicuous place on the premises of Laurentian University, or by other reasonable methods in the circumstances and when appropriate, communicated to the Laurentian community via email communications.

Any questions regarding disruption in a facility can be directed to maintenance@laurentian.ca.

 

Visiting our Campuses?

Laurentian University is dedicated to providing accessible parking spaces located at various points throughout both the Main Campus and the McEwen School of Architecture.  For more information about barrier free parking on our campuses, please contact Parking Services:

  • W-120, West Residence
  • 935 Ramsey Lake Road
  • Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6
  • Telephone: 705-675-1151 ext. 1545
  • Fax: 706-675-4809
  • Email: parking@laurentian.ca
Accessibility Services at Laurentian University

 

Health & Wellness Services
  • Single Student Residence (SSR), Room G-23
  • 935 Ramsey Lake Road
  • Sudbury ON P3E 2C6
  • Telephone: 705.673.6546
  • Email: healthservices@laurentian.ca

 

Do You Have Further Questions or Concerns?

If you would like consultation regarding the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 standard obligations or if you would like to provide feedback regarding services provided by Laurentian University relating to accessibility, we would like to hear from you.

 

Please contact:

  • Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office
  • Room A-126, Main Floor Arts Building
  • Laurentian University
  • 935 Ramsey Lake Rd
  • Sudbury ON  P3E 2C6
  • Phone: 705-675-1151 ext. 3427
  • Email: edhr@laurentian.ca

 

*Please indicate if you have an accommodation need for a planned meeting due to a disability and we will do our best to make the appropriate arrangements.

Recruitment and Selection

Laurentian University is an inclusive and welcoming community and encourages applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

Laurentian University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact the Human Resources and Organizational Development Office for more information.

 

Accommodation for Employees at Work

The Human Resources and Organizational Development Office assists in providing accommodation to persons with disabilities in the workplace.

They provide support to employees on sick leave, long term disability or Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) claim and returning to work after illness or injury (for both the employee and their department); information on workplace injury, long term disability, workplace accommodation and related issues, and; information about healthy workplaces, individual health strategies, educational opportunities and health-related resources and services both on and off-campus.

Laurentian University Policies related to AODA can be found on the Laurentian University Policies and Accountability page.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcomed at Laurentian University to accompany persons with disabilities who may require assistance.

Service animals are working animals and can be readily identifiable through visual indicators such as a vest or harness. They must accompany their owner to work or class and be kept with their owner at all times. When Laurentian University cannot readily identify that an animal is a service animal, Laurentian University employees may ask a person to provide documentation (template, letter or form) from a regulated health professional that confirms the person needs the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.

Please do not distract the service animal while it is working – this includes talking, petting or feeding.

 

Access to Premises

The requirements of the Customer Service Standard around service animals apply to those areas of Laurentian University premises where the public or third parties are allowed to access. Premises include buildings, land or grounds where service is provided.

Premises are considered open to the public even if they are only open to those people who have paid an admission fee, are members, or have met certain eligibility or entrance requirements.

Laurentian University’s outdoor spaces, recreation facilities and hallways are open to the public. The classrooms, which only staff and people who have been admitted to the university have access to, are also considered to be open to the public. The rules on service animals apply to all of these areas of Laurentian University’s campuses.

 

Support Persons

A support person accompanies a person with a disability in order to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs.

Support persons are welcomed at Laurentian University to accompany persons with disabilities in order for them to access Laurentian University services. Communication and service should be focused on the individual as opposed to the support person.

Where fees for programs, goods and services are advertised or promoted by Laurentian University, advance notice of the fee with respect to support persons will be provided.

In certain circumstances, Laurentian University may require a person with a disability to be accompanied by a support person when on Laurentian University premises, but only if a support person is necessary to protect the health and safety of the person with a disability or the health and safety of others on the premises. Before making a decision, Laurentian University will:

  • Consult with the person with a disability to understand their needs;
  • Consider the health and safety reasons based on available evidence; and
  • Determine if there is no other reasonable way to protect the health and safety of the person with a disability or the health and safety of others on the premises.

 

If Laurentian University determines that a support person is required, the University will waive the admission fee or fare (if applicable) for the support person. 

When students with disabilities are admitted to Laurentian University, they have met the same standards for admission as all other students. Faculty can support the continued success of students with disabilities by implementing certain accessible practices.

 

Educational Resources

Introduction to Accessible Education

Developing Courses

Writing a Course Syllabus

Creating Accessible Lectures

Using PowerPoint

Using Word Documents and/or PDFs

Evaluating Students and Giving Feedback

 

Accessible Teaching

Accessibility in e-Learning

Report on Accessible Media, Ontario Council of University Libraries (PDF, includes links to captioning services)

Science Laboratories

 

Student Accommodations

When a student requests accommodations due to a disability, they are referred to Accessibility Services:

https://laurentian.ca/accessibility-services

 

 

This service will evaluate the need for any supporting documentation, review medical documentation and confidentially store the documents, and review and determine with all parties the best accommodation recommendations in order to meet the student’s needs.

Providing accommodation without consultation may lead to inconsistent practice, and faculty and students may not be appropriately supported. 

The AODA

 

The Ontario Human Rights Code (the “Code”)

The primacy of the Code is enshrined within AODA. The requirements set out in the standards are not a replacement or substitution for the requirements established under the Code.

For further information and training, we recommend visiting the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Human Rights 101 online module and Disability and Human Rights resource.

AODA Training

Laurentian University’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) online training module is now available online. All Laurentian University employees must complete the online AODA training, as it is a legislative requirement.

This module is delivered through the D2L Portal. Once you have completed the training, an optional certificate for you to fill out will be made available, as well as a list of useful resources.

If you have any questions about this training or, for whatever reason, are unable to access it, please contact the Information Technology Department at IT@laurentian.ca or by phone at 705.675.1151 ext. 2200.

 

Customer Service Standard

The Customer Service Standard is simply the beginning of conversations regarding accessibility at Laurentian University. Our aim is to ensure that all members of our community are treated with respect and dignity. As a member of the Laurentian University community your interactions with others make an impact.

We are working to make our campuses more accessible to persons with disabilities.

Further Training for Faculty & Staff – Accessible Customer Service

  • Module 1 – Understanding the AODA and the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service
  • Module 2 – Communicating with Customers with Disabilities
  • Module 3 – Serving Customers with Disabilities

 

The above Customer Service Online Training Tool modules are available here.