National AccessAbility Week: May 29 to June 4, 2022

National AccessAbility Week takes place every year starting on the last Sunday of May. AccessAbility Week is a time to celebrate the contributions of Canadians with disabilities and promote efforts to increase accessibility and inclusion in Canada.  

This year, we’d like to highlight some of the accessibility resources available for faculty and staff members at UBC.  

Accessibility resources at UBC 

Centre for Workplace Accessibility

Launched in April 2022, The Centre for Workplace Accessibility (CWA) is a new support office and central hub for information, services, and resources for faculty and staff seeking support with a disability or ongoing health condition. The CWA provides a safe and confidential space to ask questions, discuss barriers and obtain disability-related support and accommodations.  

You can reach out to connect with one of the CWA’s Workplace Accessibility Specialists by email workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca or phone 604-822-8139. 

In addition to providing ongoing support, the CWA will be working on projects and initiatives that enhance accessibility and inclusion across the UBC community, as part of our continuing effort to activate the Inclusion Action Plan and achieve Inclusive Excellence as articulated in the UBC Strategic Plan.  

Learn more about the CWA

The Return to Campus and Accessibility: Perspectives of Disabled Instructors 

Wednesday, June 1 | 1:00 pm–2:00 pm | Online 

Learn what accessibility and inclusivity means to disabled instructors with diverse experiences, particularly in the context of the transition to in-person and/or blended teaching, as well as teaching at the university in general. 

Register

Accessibility on Campus 

UBC is committed to improving the way students, faculty, staff and visitors access and navigate our campuses. Regardless of age, background, or ability, the university aims to remove any significant barriers that would prevent people from being able to participate as independent members of the UBC community. Take a look at the accessibility resources available to navigate around the Vancouver campus including: 

• Maps 
• Transit options 
• Parking 

Accessibility on campus resources

Improve hiring equity at UBC

This self-paced online course developed by the Equity & Inclusion Office aims to support search committees in their efforts to recruit and hire excellent faculty and staff, through a fair and equitable process. The course summarizes key considerations and good practices at every stage of the selection process and gives search committees shared language and an encouragement to openly discuss issues of equity as they conduct the search. 

Take the course

Autism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace

This program includes a series of six self-paced, interactive modules filled with useful activities and videos. Provided by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism, the program is designed to assist human resource professionals, employers, supervisors, managers, co-workers, job coaches and counsellors, autistic employees, parents, students, and anyone interested in inclusive employment to learn practical strategies on how to support all employees to be successful on the job. 

Register for Autism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Celebrate AccessAbility Week  

Our work to improve accessibility at UBC will be an ongoing effort. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to join the conversation during National AccessAbility Week; let's highlight accessibility and inclusion in Canada. and ask ourselves: how can I be an ally to persons with disabilities?  

You can find more information and learn about the scheduled events on the National AccessAbility Week page.