In 2017, a committee consisting of representatives from community organizations and 12 Ontario colleges and universities were tasked with identifying barriers for post-secondary learners with disabilities and developing recommendations.  

The Government of Ontario formed the Postsecondary Education Standards Development Committee as a requirement of the Accessibility for Ontarians Disability Act (AODA), 2005. 

The Postsecondary Education Standards Development Committee (PESDC) 2022 Final Report identified nine barriers and 185 recommendations. Biweekly, ALS will be doing a deep dive into the barriers and recommendations. This is the first installment of this eight-part series. 

The nine main barriers were: 1. General overarching barriers; 2. Attitudes, behaviours, perceptions, assumptions; 3. Awareness and training; 4. Assessment, curriculum, and instruction; 5. Digital learning and technology; 6. Organizational barriers; 7. Social realms, campus life; 8. Physical and architectural barriers; 9. Financial barriers.

1. General Overarching Barriers: 

These are barriers that may prevent the implementation and future success of the proposed standards. One of these overarching barriers is that students with disabilities are often considered after the fact during policy development and budgetary decision-making. Secondly, postsecondary institutions and ministries tend to work independently rather than collaboratively which could prevent effective implementation of the standards.  

The following recommendations address this barrier: 

1. When modifying or implementing programs and services for people with disabilities, the Ministry will first conduct a review to determine if, or how, the program would impact postsecondary students with disabilities 

2. The provincial government must demonstrate their commitment to supporting students with disabilities and accessible postsecondary education. One way is to provide funding to institutions and students to help meet the goals of the postsecondary education accessibility standards. 

3. The Ontario government shall continue to advocate with the federal government through their federal/provincial tables to ensure both are working towards the same goals of access for students with disabilities.  

The full report is available: 

https://www.ontario.ca/page/development-proposed-postsecondary-education-standards-final-recommendations-report-2022 

Visit our ALS Information for Faculty website to learn more about accommodating students with disabilities. 

Please email us at accessible-learning@humber.ca with suggestions for key accessibility-related topics that you would like us to address through the Communiqué.

Welcome to Safety and Health Week! All week long, Occupational Health and Safety Services will be posting health and safety information in the Communiqué. Be sure to keep an eye on these posts, as there will be a chance to win some prizes at the end of the week.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is one of many options to control or minimize the risk of exposure to an occupational hazard. While priority is given to other means to reduce risk, such as eliminating or isolating the hazard, or changing the way that we work, PPE is sometimes required. Depending on the hazard that needs to be addressed, there are different types of PPE that may be required. Below are some examples:

• Hearing protection (ear plugs and earmuffs) – high noise environments.
• Fall protection – working at heights.
• Respiratory protection – exposure to airborne contaminants.
• Chemical protective clothing, including gloves – working with hazardous materials.
• Eye and face protection – splash hazards and flying objects or particles/dust.
• Hard hats – work on construction sites or where an overhead hazard is present.
• Safety footwear – work associated with a risk of a foot injury.

Your supervisor is responsible for determining when and what type of PPE is required for your work and for ensuring that all workers are trained on the proper selection, use, care, maintenance, and storage of the PPE. If any assistance is needed with regards to appropriate PPE selection and training requirements, please email healthandsafety@humber.ca for assistance.

Remember: PPE is only effective if you wear it properly and consistently. Always follow the instructions and training provided to you with regards to using PPE.

Photo Contest Tip: If you are required to wear PPE on the job at Humber, send us a picture of you wearing your PPE properly.

Welcome to Safety and Health Week! All week long, Occupational Health and Safety Services will be posting health and safety information in the Communiqué. Be sure to keep an eye on these posts, as there will be a chance to win some prizes at the end of the week.

Since 2023, the Ontario government declared May to be Building Safety Month to bring awareness to the Ontario Building Code and its role in ensuring a healthy and safe indoor environment for all. At Humber, the Capital Development and Facilities Management department (CDFM) is responsible for the maintenance and development of Humber property. The Facilities Management team is responsible for providing a safe, clean, healthy, and well-maintained campus environment. The Capital Development team is responsible for new construction and renovation projects. The entire CDFM team plays a significant role in maintaining a safe and healthy campus and can assist with maintaining adequate ventilation, cleaning up of spills, snow removal, equipment procurement and repairs, ensuring renovations are safely completed and in compliance with the Ontario Building Code, and so much more. Building safety is not just specific to the CDFM team. We all play a role by ensuring our buildings and workstations are clean, tidy, and safe, and by maintaining good storage and housekeeping practices.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International has also designated May as Electrical Safety Month to bring awareness to the importance of electrical safety in the workplace and at home. While electricity is vital to many jobs, it can pose a significant risk. Electrical safety goes hand-in-hand with building safety, and while the CDFM department oversees major electrical work on campus to ensure safety, below are some safety tips for our workstations:

• Inspect cords/plugs for wear and tear. Do not use damaged cords.
• Do not overload outlets.
• Keep cords away from heat and water.
• Do not place cords under carpets, across doorways or walkways, or in places where they may be a tripping hazard.
• Report defects to your supervisor or to CDFM.

For any assistance with issues involving buildings, facilities, outdoor grounds, or electrical-related defects, call extension 4444 during regular work hours, or submit a work order online via the Archibus system. For after hours or emergency issues (such as floods, leaks, etc.), contact Public Safety at extension 8500. Please visit the Capital Development & Facilities Management website for more information.

Photo Contest Tip: Do you have examples of a well-maintained building or workstation? Is the housekeeping in your work area superb? Are your computer cords in good condition, plugged into appropriate outlets, and tucked away to prevent tripping hazards? Let’s see it!