Accessibility

1. Audit of Physical Infrastructure: Conduct an annual comprehensive audit of all buildings and campus facilities to identify and address physical barriers, and ensure that any new construction/renovations meets accessibility standards.

2. Barrier-Free Pathways: All campus pathways, entrances, and exits will be accessible to individuals with mobility impairments, including the installation of ramps, automatic doors, and well-maintained sidewalks/pathways.

3. Accessible Restrooms and Elevators: Ensure all restrooms and elevators are functioning and fully accessible, with clear signage and appropriate features such as easier opening doors and low-height controls.

4. Inclusive Classroom and Meeting Spaces: Classrooms, lecture halls, and meeting spaces will be modified to be more fully accessible, with wheelchair access and flexible seating arrangements.

5. Accessible Parking: Promote and maintain accessible parking spaces at building entrances and ensure clear, barrier free access, with directional signage as needed

1. Accessible Digital Content: Ensure all digital course materials (syllabi, readings, slides, etc.) are available in accessible formats such as screen reader-compatible text, audio, and large print.

2. Accessible Website and Online Services: Improve the college website and online platforms to conform to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), making them usable for students with visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments.

3. Accessible Academic Materials: Provide reading materials and other academic resources in accessible formats (e.g., Braille, e-books, audiobooks) for stakeholders.

4. Improve Signage for Clearer, Consistent Communication: Install easy-to-read, high-contrast, and large-font signage around campus, both physically and on digital platforms, to ensure that students with cognitive or visual disabilities can navigate the campus and find information.

5. Technology Training and Support: Provide training for students and instructors on how to use accessible technologies (e.g., screen readers, voice recognition software, captioning tools) and ensure ongoing support is available.

1. Sign Language and Captioning Services: Where possible, offer support for sign language interpreters and captioning services for events, lectures, and meetings to ensure hearing-impaired students, instructors and staff can fully engage.

2. Assistive Listening Devices: Provide assistive listening devices in classrooms, lecture halls, and event spaces to accommodate students with hearing impairments.

3. Accessible Communication Channels: Ensure that all communication (emails, newsletters, social media posts, etc.) is accessible by using plain language, high contrast, and offering alternate formats (e.g., audio or video summaries).

4. Flexible Learning Options: Consider a range of flexible learning pathways such as asynchronous courses, recorded lectures, and self-paced materials to accommodate students with varying learning needs, including those with cognitive, sensory, or mobility impairments.

5. Inclusive Campus Events: Ensure all campus events, including extracurricular activities, and meetings offer accessibility options such as captioning and support services access.

1. Awareness and Sensitivity Training: Investigate and implement new training programs and supports for instructors, staff, and students on disability awareness, inclusion, and how to provide support to individuals with disabilities.

2. Promotion of Disability Pride: Foster a culture of inclusion by celebrating Disability Awareness Month (October) with guest speakers, lectures, symposia and promoting the achievements and contributions of students and faculty with disabilities.

3. Encourage Support Networks: Develop and support expert involvement, peer mentorship programs and additional staff support where students with disabilities can connect with experts and trained mentors to foster a sense of community and belonging.

4. Addressing Stigma and Bias: Maintain clear policies and mechanisms that integrate issues of accessibility, with input from people with disabilities, and raise awareness about these policies among all stakeholders at the college.

5. Inclusive Representation: Promote and ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities in advising new programs, policy and services, respecting a commitment to the adage “Nothing About Us Without Us.”

1. Student Services Support Office: Enhance the Disability Services Office to provide personalized support for students with disabilities, including academic accommodation, assistive technology, and advocacy.

2. Clear Accommodation Processes: Streamline the process for requesting accommodation, ensuring that it is accessible, efficient, and transparent, and that students receive timely support.

3. Accessible Counseling and Mental Health Services: Ensure that mental health services are accessible to students with disabilities, including providing information and access to alternative formats for counseling materials and offering virtual appointments.

4. Reduced Stigma Around Mental Health and Disabilities: Launch and promote a campus-wide campaign aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and neurodiversity by promoting open conversations, sharing personal stories, and highlighting available resources and support systems.

5. On-Demand Academic Support: Enhance existing access and equity services for students with disabilities to request additional academic support, including tutoring, note-taking assistance, or extended exam time that ensures equal academic opportunities.