National AccessAbility Week, from May 31 to June 6 this year, is a time for McMaster and communities across Canada to recognize and celebrate the contributions, leadership, and perspectives of people with disabilities.
This week offers an important opportunity to reflect on progress in advancing accessibility across campus, while reaffirming our community’s shared responsibility to foster an inclusive and equitable environment for all.
This year’s theme, “Building a Strong, Accessible Canada,” calls on institutions, communities, and individuals to take meaningful action toward a barrier-free society. It reminds us that while progress has been made in identifying, removing, and preventing barriers, continued and collective effort is essential to realizing a truly accessible, inclusive and equitable Canada.
At McMaster, efforts to improve accessibility through changes to the built environment, expanded digital access, and enhanced supports and services reflect the ongoing work of students, staff, faculty, and community members who advocate for meaningful inclusion in all aspects of university life.
At the same time, accessibility is about more than meeting requirements, it is a matter of human rights. Equitable access to education, employment, and campus life must be grounded in dignity, respect, and a sense of belonging. Disability inclusion must be intentionally embedded in the university’s policies, practices, and culture, and guided by the knowledge and lived experiences of persons with disabilities.
An inclusive approach to accessibility must also be intersectional and take a disability justice approach. Persons with disabilities hold diverse identities and experiences shaped by race, gender, Indigeneity, socioeconomic status, sexuality and more.
“Advancing accessibility and disability inclusion requires addressing systemic barriers in a holistic way, recognizing how different forms of inequity intersect and reinforce one another,” says Barrington Walker, vice-provost, Equity and Inclusion, and chair of the McMaster Accessibility Advisory Council.
As part of this work here at McMaster, the recently published Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Update includes 28 submissions that highlight the meaningful efforts of students, staff, and faculty during the 2024-25 academic year.
Developed by the Equity and Inclusion Office, with support from the McMaster Accessibility Advisory Council, submissions cover progress in accessibility research, inclusive teaching and learning, accessible digital environments, improved policies and guidance, accessible service delivery, and community engagement that strengthen connection and belonging.
As we mark National AccessAbility Week, McMaster renews its commitment to removing barriers, addressing ableism, and fostering a campus community where everyone can participate fully. Accessibility is a shared value and collective responsibility, one that calls for ongoing reflection, action, and accountability as we contribute to building a strong, accessible McMaster.
Visit McMaster’s Accessibility Hub for access to resources, trainings, events, and much more. For inquiries or comments related to accessibility and disability inclusion at McMaster, please email the Accessibility Program within the Equity and Inclusion Office at access@mcmaster.ca.