Accessibility progress
By removing barriers and fostering accessibility, we change the narrative. Through this plan and process, we hope new themes emerge about the experiences of persons with disabilities—themes of hope, and of progress.
2025 progress
Fall term
- Accessibility Plan website refreshed with a new form for reporting accessibility barriers.
Summer term
- University Systems launched their new website with plain language tech support information and a streamlined request IT help process.
- The classrooms website launched which shows details about UVic classrooms with a focus on accessibility. This project was joint effort between University Systems, Facilities Management and University Communications & Marketing (UCAM).
- The was updated as part of Facilities Management's ongoing wayfinding projects.
- University Systems and UCAM collaborated on the Template 4 design system for websites, which includes a library of accessible components and styles as well as accessibility user testing.
- The Better Data Project public dashboards are now available. They were accessibility user tested.
- The HR Employee Learning Program added an Accessibility learning theme to the .
- 892 students have self-identified as having a disability, highlighting the importance of accessible and inclusive career support services. In 2020 the number of self-reports was 17.
Spring term
- Facilities Management began conducting building audits using the Rick Hansen foundation criteria.
- The Society for Students with a Disability (SSD) to UVic’s Senior administration alongside fellow student, staff and faculty association and unions.
- University Systems provided accessible coding training to their software development teams.
- The Accessibility and Inclusion Co-op and Career Coordinator received the BC Untapped Workplace Inclusion Award in the Diverse & Inclusive Champion – Individual category, recognising outstanding contributions to equity in experiential learning.
Progress from previous years
- UVic joined the .
- The Classroom Infrastructure Committee requested funding to increase the supply of accessible furniture available for staff, faculty and students.
- Purchasing Services added a request for Vendor Accessibility Conformance Reports to UVic's RFP process.
- Gave a panel presentation during UVic's annual 5 Days of Action event.
- Promoted student-led events through its membership.
- Reviewed drafts of upcoming and provided feedback to the provincial government.
Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL):
- Partnered with Facilities Management to improve supports for students' accessibility needs in classrooms.
- Started providing workshops about academic accommodations and accessible course materials to faculty.
- Partnered with University Systems to green light accessibility software for UVic computers.
- Added accessibility as a key tenet for any new project and renovation.
- Conducted accessibility audits of the built environment in bookable classroom spaces.
- Allocated a percentage of annual ministry funding towards accessibility initiatives.
- Created a priority list of upgrades by function and by building.
- Continued work on the accessible and gender-inclusive washroom project.
Learning and Teaching Innovation (LTI):
- Administered a survey of faculty members regarding lecture capture technology.
- Launched the .
- Updated and with new accessibility focused resources.
- Committed to developing accessible teaching strategies and supports for each discipline at UVic.
- Conducted an survey.
- Advocated for SSD inclusion in the revision of AC1205: the policy outlining academic accommodations at UVic.
- Started the Digital Accessibility program to accelerate UVic's accessibility maturity journey.
- Conducted a gap analysis of departmental processes to identify accessibility improvements.
- Partnered with SSD and CAL to hire students with disabilities to user test UVic websites and webapps.
- Trained 150+ IT support staff in accessible service delivery.
- The Accessibility Plan website was launched, including resource pages and an online feedback form.
- The Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) and Learning and Teaching Innovation (LTI) created a working group to share information and improve collaboration between faculties, CAL and LTI.
- The Better Data Project questionnaire launched for all UVic staff, faculty and students.
- The Society for Students with a Disability (SSD) started the and education campaigns.
- University Systems expanded options for multi-factor authentication to include more accessible methods. They created accessible technology resources for staff who support people with disabilities as part of this project.
- A case study evaluating the program’s strengths and challenges was published in the International Journal of Work Integrated Learning, contributing to global conversations on inclusive employment pathways.
- The Accessibility Committee formed and began drafting UVic's Accessibility Plan.
- Co-op and Career Services created the Accessibility and Inclusion Co-op and Career Coordinator position to support students with disabilities in their work-integrated learning journeys. This position emerged from , the accessible co-op program collaboration between Co-op and Careers and CanAssist.
- Dedicated supports for , including Learning Experience Designers in LTSI.
- Most of UVic's buildings were . CARSA was certified gold. UVic’s two new housing and dining buildings were pre-construction approved gold, for an expected 38 on-campus RHF certified structures.
- UVic’s standard website template adheres to level AA of the standards, with a compliance tool available to units when they update.
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Evolving and expanded athletic and recreation programming through .
- New resources for hosting .
Share your accessibility progress
If you know of any projects, events or initiatives led by UVic employees or students, email us at accessibility@uvic.ca.
Let’s work together to ensure that UVic is more accessible and inclusive.