Initiatives

Laurier is committed to accessibility and inclusion by identifying, preventing and removing barriers of all types to persons with disabilities. We believe that accessibility benefits everyone – not just people with disabilities – and we promote accessibility and equitable access to our services and facilities.

Building an Accessible Campus

In our efforts to implement barrier-free and inclusive campuses, Laurier's Accessibility Plan (2016-2022) was created to describe our accessibility-related goals and the policies, practices and strategies we use to achieve our goals.

Our plan uses the social model of disability – distinguishing between impairment and disability – to address accessibility issues and initiatives. Impairment refers to a physical, sensory or intellectual difference while disability refers to the limits people with differences face because of the structures in our society. This model is effective because it calls attention to the way in which barriers in society can be disabling, and emphasizes that accessibility is everyone's responsibility.

Assistive Technologies

Our commitment to a barrier-free environment includes the use of assistive technologies for persons with disabilities, so that all members of the Laurier community can fully benefit from our services. Our Accessible Learning Centre (ALC) is the go-to place for Laurier students who will have access to our assistive technology labs. To ensure an accessible work environment for all, we provide workplace accommodations to our faculty and staff to meet their barrier-free needs. 

Accessibility in Action

At Laurier, our departments work together to ensure accessibility across our campuses. Our community includes a number of support centres that put accessibility into action. Our Student Wellness Centre provides mental health resources and support to our students. Our Accessible Learning Centre (ALC) ensures that students with disabilities have access to required academic accommodations to support their learning. In addition, the Laurier library goes above and beyond requirements in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), helping to make Laurier a barrier-free university.

Ensuring Responsibility for Accessibility

Laurier's Accessibility Advisory Committee is made up of senior administration, staff from related areas, and students who strive to ensure that all buildings, programs and services are accessible to persons with all types of disabilities. They respond to identified disability-related barriers and promote standards that incorporate accessibility at all levels of the organization, including (but not limited to) residence life, student services, employee safety and the classroom. The Accessibility Advisory Committee is responsible for approving the AODA implementation plan and responds to new legislative requirements and feedback throughout the academic year related to newly identified barriers.

Providing an Accessible Website

On Oct. 27, 2014 Laurier launched a new website that meets the AODA WCAG 2.0 Level A guidelines for accessibility. User testing with prospective students was also conducted to ensure the usability of the site.

A Universal Design

Accessible design and the principles of universal design, with their emphasis on clear, streamlined and flexible presentation, content and navigation, can lessen the frustrations of a cumbersome non-accessible website. An accessible website better serves people with disabilities, and has these additional benefits:

• Better Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
• Improved experience on mobile devices. 
• Ability to reach people who are less-fluent online, people who are not fluent in the language of the website, and people with low literacy.

Future Improvements

We are dedicated to making Laurier’s website accessible for all users, and welcome feedback regarding the accessibility of the site. Email digitalexperience@wlu.ca to report any difficulties you are having viewing or accessing features of the site.

Purchasing Practices

At Laurier, we incorporate accessibility criteria and features into all of our purchasing practices. Each employee is responsible for considering and applying the appropriate accessibility criteria to their purchasing decisions.