Important Resources and Summary of AODA Requirements

Requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 

The following is important information to ensure you are aware of and able to support the implementation of accessibility and accommodation policies at McMaster, in adherence with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 provincial legislation. 

Mandatory Training: All employees / student leaders / volunteers are required to register and complete the McMaster’s central AODA and Human Rights Code training (approximately 40 mins to complete) as soon as possible, if they have not already completed. 

General across campus actions to support an inclusive and accessible environment as required by the AODA: 

• Accessible formats: upon request all units must arrange for providing accessible formats and communication supports for persons with disabilities. 

• Temporary Notices: Posting Notices of Temporary Disruptions of Service in a timely fashion where appropriate and when necessary. Access the template and guidance on posting notices of temporary disruptions.  

• Service Animals: Understanding and respecting the use of Service Animals and Support Persons On-Campus, as per McMaster’s accessibility policies. 

• Accessible Feedback: Ensuring that there are accessible feedback/  contact options available to McMaster employees and community members with disabilities, upon request (e.g., provisions of accessible formats, communication supports, etc.). 

• McMaster’s Renewed Accessibility Policy: Be aware of your requirements as an individual employee under McMaster’s Accessibility Policy – Available on the Secretariat’s website. 

• Procurement: When making purchases, incorporate accessibility features into the purchasing process. More information is available on the Accessible Procurement Support website  

• Web Accessibility: Web developers, designers, and digital content creators (Employees or external contractors) responsible for web content must ensure that websites are compliant section 14 of the AODA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0). Additionally, information and feedback on University websites must be offered in alternative formats or provided upon request. 

Awareness and support of accessibility and accommodations under the AODA’s Employment Standard: all employees (including NEW employees) need to be made aware of university accessibility and accommodation supports available to them, including accommodations policies. Below are examples of ways to ensure this requirement is met.      

• Accessible formats: Support could include accessible formats and communication support that must be provided to any employees with disabilities when requested to facilitate equitable access to the work environment.  

• Individualized Emergency Response Plans: ensuring employees are aware of the option to establish an individualized emergency response plan. Request a response plan through University Health and Safety. 

• Accommodations in the Workplace: Facilitating a supportive and respectful workplace accommodation process for employees with disabilities, upon request, as per McMaster’s Workplace Accommodation Policy and Guidelines. 

Workplace Accommodation Policy 

Workplace Accommodation Procedural Guidelines 

• Ongoing accommodations: ensuring applicants during hiring are aware of the availability of accommodations, and they are provided upon request. Accommodations are considered during performance reviews, return to work after leaves, and other part of the employee life cycle including advancement and redeployment. 

• Employee Accessibility Network: Please ensure that all staff are of the Employee Accessibility Network (EAN), an employee resource group for staff and faculty who identify as a person with a disability, or those requiring accommodations. 

Examples of accessibility and accommodation statements to add to communications: 

1. Accessibility for meetings, interviews, etc.: 

“Our unit (insert name) is committed to ensuring all persons can fully participate within events and meetings.  

Please let us know if you require any disability related accommodations, alternative formats, or communication supports to fully participate in this session.” 

1. Accessibility Statement for Websites (if not already available from the website footer): 

“McMaster University is committed to providing websites that are accessible to the widest possible audience.?If you require any content on this website in an alternate format, please email (insert email)?and we will respond as promptly as possible.” 

1. Message on accessibility at the bottom of an email 

“If you require an alternative format of anything provided in this email, please respond directly indicating the required format.” 

Contacts: 

General Accessibility: If you have any general accessibility questions, please contact the AccessMac Program at access@mcmaster.ca.  

Employee Accommodations: If you have specific questions regarding the development or implementation of Individual Employee Accommodation Plans, please contact Employee Health Services (EHS). 

Student Accommodations: For information related to academic accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services. 

Reporting an accessibility concern at McMaster: To report an issues in one of McMaster’s facilities visit the Facility Service’s website. To submit a general accessibility concern or provide feedback, visit the accessibility feedback page.