Building a Collaborative Network: the University of Toronto Experience

The ODA Planning Process & the SFBA Access Centre

The “Worlds” of Disability ActivismThe mainstream disability movement

Organizations, coalitions, groups loosely working toward the same goals

“Ambassadors-at-Large”Individuals representing the best people with disabilities have to offer

The “Worlds” of Disability ActivismSame applies specifically to the students with disabilities movementLevels of collaboration, feedback and tensionCan there be action on disability issues outside a students with disabilities movement?

Yes!

Mainstream Disability MovementStrengths

Strength in numbersOrganizational abilityCoalition buildingLong-term movement buildingPotential to access money

WeaknessesRepresentative?Negative association possible“Lowest common denominator”

“Ambassadors-at-Large”Strengths

One-on-one approachesConcerted lobbying/negotiating tactics“Your reputation precedes you”Leadership by exampleAbility to integrate within, but not necessarily be assimilated by, organizations

WeaknessesOne person’s worldviewLittle permanenceLittle money

At the University of Toronto…Worlds in partnership – worlds in feedback – worlds in balance

A friendly environment created by “Ambassadors-at-Large” leads to the creation of a students with disabilities movementThe movement in turn fosters an environment for mentorship and individual and personal self-advocacy, leading to more Ambassadors

Common goals: A universally inclusive post-secondary education system

A Unique CollaborationOver the past 3 years, awareness of and action on disability issues at the University of Toronto has grown in leaps and boundsCollaboration between:

StudentsService ProvidersAdministrationStaff and Faculty

Student ApproachEstablish a presence for students with disabilitiesRaise awarenessProvide educationEffective lobbying strategiesDirect influence of systemic issues through an established networkLeadership by exampleCase study of a consistent and long-term students with disabilities movement

Understanding the SystemBuilding a network

Who do we need to meet and talk to?What do people do?How do we best approach them?

Understand how governance worksUnderstand how to lobby effectivelyDo rallies work?

Vision of an Inclusive CampusA community where all its members understand the need for and work toward a universally accessible environment for everyone, including people with disabilities

The ODA Planning Process: A Unique Opportunity for Partnership and Success

The Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001

Legislates public sector and scheduled organizations in the province of Ontario to develop annual publicly available Accessibility PlansPlans must:

Report on initiatives undertaken to date, or in previous plansIdentify barriers to be addressed in the new planIdentify initiatives to remove/prevent/ameliorate barriers

U of T Planning Process: Year IIGlobal Advisory Committee

40 membersCross-section of the University populationIncludes members with disabilities

7 Subcommittees, including a consultative processCo-ordinating Committee to write Plan

5 members, including 1 student

SubcommitteesAttitudes

Including Information, Communication strategies

PolicyPhysical Facilities(Information) TechnologyUniversal Instructional DesignStudent LifeHuman Resources

Documentation, Recommendations98 pagesReport on 2003-2004 initiatives

42/45 initiatives completed• With or without next steps identified

3/45 initiatives started, and yet to be completed

Presentation of 2004-2005 initiatives40 initiatives total, including ongoing projects

Highlights of InitiativesAttitudes

Breaking Down Barriers 2004Poster campaignEnrolment StudyDisability Issues and Orientation Training

PhysicalUniversal design seminarsElevator auditAccessible spacesChemical sensitivitiesWayfindng

TechnologyPurchasing guidelinesAccessible workstationAlternative formatsWireless technology

Instructional DesignAwareness campaignsAccommodation for facultyPublication of materials

Highlights of student involvementBreaking Down Barriers 2004 conferencePoster awareness campaignPolicy: Statement of Commitment to Persons with DisabilitiesSFBA Access CentreAccessibility education for student leaders

Groundswell of AccessibilityMany independent projects, distinct from the ODA Plan

Accessible chemistry teaching labsDisability anthologyHart House Barrier FreeRedesigned and upgraded accessibility websitesUTSC accommodations funding

Community awareness, involvement and action on accessibility issues

Breaking Down BarriersModel of a localized grassroots disability awareness and education conferenceDesign for long-term self-sustainabilityWorking conferencesMotivation of community

Poster Awareness CampaignSimilar to Mac Campaign (2003-2004)11 students from different constituencies, with different programs of study and with different disabilities

Majority are “Ambassadors-at-Large”Would never have been possible 4 years ago

Cross-University distributionLaunch: November 25, 2004

Critical Mass for Self-Organization4 years ago:

Few people working in isolation on accessibility issues

Today:Many people working in loose concertPromotion of an inclusive and welcoming climateGreater awareness of issues and their need to be addressedGroundwork for co-ordination

The future?

Problems with the SystemProjects are moonlighted every year

Firm commitments of resources beneficialInstitutional or departmental commitment to funding

Institutional inertia“Dilution of standards” – how do equity and accessibility meld with a meritocracy?Administration indifference/resistance“The numbers game” and community indifference“Equity is part of our principles – isn’t that enough?”

The Graduate Accessibility Committee

Mandate:To act to improve the quality and accessibility of the graduate school experience for graduate students with disabilities.

The Work of the Graduate Accessibility Committee

Research, policy, lobbying groupBest of both worlds

Policy influenceGraduate Students’ Union Accessibility Policy

• Passed April, 2003• Under review November 2004-March 2005

Canadian Federation of Students (Ontario Component)

• Round 1: August, 2003• Round 2: February, 2004

The Work of the Graduate Accessibility Committee

Taskforce/committee membershipProvost’s Taskforce on Student HousingODA Planning ProcessStanding Committee on Barrier-Free AccessHart House Barrier-FreePresidential Search process

Personalized and targeted lobbying strategy

Extensive contacts networkRaise awarenessGet things done!

History of the GACNovember 2002: Committee originatedMarch-April 2003: Development of GSU Accessibility PolicyApril-August 2003: Participation in ODA Planning Process Year 1October 2003-February 2004: Coalition building and work with other student groupsJanuary 2004-Present: Implementation of lobbying strategyOctober 2004-Present: Review of Committee and policies and long-term recommendations for future

Case Study: The SFBA Access Centre

Students for Barrier-Free AccessFounded in 2002Advocacy/outreach on behalf of students with disabilitiesOriginated Breaking Down Barriers conference series

Collaborates with Canada-Wide Accessibility for Post-Secondary Students in conference organization

Accessibility Rally (May 2003)Work in conjunction with Graduate Accessibility Committee on accessibility issues at U of T

“Access Centre”Funded by a student levy from the Students’ Administrative Council

Future funding possible from Graduate Students’ Union

Staffed by a 0.8 FTE Co-ordinator, and student volunteers

TimelineMarch 2004: Proposal of referendum questionMarch 2004: Successful referendumApril-May 2004: Development of business planJune-July 2004: Securing spaceAugust 2004: Hiring of Co-ordinatorSeptember 2004-Present: Launch of Access Centre and its activities

Goals of Access CentreTo serve as a nonacademic resource and support network for students with disabilities.To provide disability and accessibility-related resources to all members of the University community, including persons with disabilities.To provide a welcoming space for people with disabilities within the University of Toronto community.

Goals of Access CentreTo provide an accessible workspace for students with disabilities.To conduct outreach campaigns around accessibility issues within the campus community, in collaboration with other ongoing efforts at the University of Toronto.

Goals of Access CentreTo assist with the organization and promotion of the annual Breaking Down Barriers conferences.

In collaboration with conference organizational authority: Canada-wide Accessibility for Post-Secondary Students

To participate in the development of the University’s annual Ontarians with Disabilities Act Accessibility Plans.

Governance ModelMajority student representationInclusion of student governmentsInvolvement of host sitesInvolvement of disability service providerChaired by the Chair of the SFBA

Involvement of University CommunityDiscussion of business plan with members of senior administrationSecuring host sites

Hart HouseFaculty of Arts and Science/Sidney Smith HallNew CollegeComplementary capabilities of host sites

Creation of Centre projects listInclusion in the ODA Planning Process

ODA Plan Documentation6.5 Student-run Centre

Barrier: Currently, there is no central coordination of social, recreational and other activities with respect to nonacademic issues for students with disabilities.

Initiative: Establish a student-run Access Centre on the St George campus. Funding has been secured for the next five years, through an annual $2.00 levy from full-time undergraduate students.

The Access Centre will provide social support and resources for students with disabilities. In its first year of operation, the Centre would like to accomplish the following:

Explore the feasibility of a mentoring program, researching best practices from other programs at University of Toronto and elsewhere.

Establish a resource that identifies all those engaged in disability scholarship at UofT.

Develop a safe online discussion space for students with disabilities.

Compile and maintain a list of frequently asked questions about financial options available for students with disabilities, who do not qualify for the Ontario Student Assistance Program and are seeking funding for accommodations.

Provide American sign language training for students

Responsibility: Students for Barrier Free Access with support from Hart House; Accessibility Services, ATRC; Student Affairs; Information Commons; and Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Timeline: September 1, 2004 – August 31, 2005

6.6 Accessibility Education for Student Leaders

Barrier: Although many students are in the forefront of disability activism, people with disabilities continue to encounter negative attitudes within the student population as they do in the community at large.

Initiative: Develop an educational module for student leaders.

Develop an educational module to raise awareness on equity issues, including accessibility, to be used by student leaders with associations and clubs.

Responsibility: Hart House, with support from: Students for Barrier Free Access; Student Affairs; Faculty of Physical Education and Health; Accessibility Services; and Graduate Students’ Union.

Timeline: September 1, 2004 – August 31, 2005

ConclusionsTwo “worlds” of disability activism

Mainstream movement“Ambassadors-at-Large”

Interface and symbiosis between bothCollaborative atmosphere at University of Toronto built over 3 years

Essential to understand “how the system works”

Development of SFBA Access Centre as a marker of permanence at U of T

AcknowledgementsGraduate Accessibility CommitteePatrick Houssais, Chair SFBA (2004-2005)Uzma Khan, CanWAPSSCarol Krause, Chair SFBA (2003-2004)Julia Munk, Access Centre Coordinator and SFBA FounderJanice Martin, Manager, Accessibility Services, St. George Campus, University of TorontoUniversity of Toronto Community

Contact:

Mahadeo A. Sukhai, PresidentGraduate Students’ Union 2004-2005Tel: 416-978-2391Email: m.sukhai@utoronto.ca