Accessibility Plan

Accessibility Week


Dalhousie Accessibility Week was created in 2022 to provide learning opportunities and help build knowledge and momentum around accessibility planning at Dalhousie. The university's second-annual campaign runs between Nov. 27 - Dec. 3.

Check out and register for events and learn more about other intiatives below.

Dalhousie Accessibility Week events


November 27

Accessibility Week launch and flag raising (11:45 a.m - 12:45 p.m.)


This event has already happened. Watch a recording of it here.

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Please join us to usher in the start of Dalhousie's second-annual Accessibility Week in the atrium of LeMarchant Place in Halifax. This event will offer a chance to shed light on progress being made on the university's official accessibility plan and show solidarity in these efforts.

A flag raising will take place outside near the bottom of Studley Quad in Halifax at the end of the event. The flag will also fly in Truro for the week.

Can't make it in person? The event will be livestreamed here as well.


November 28

Online lunch and learn: An Introduction to Accessible Events And Meetings (12 – 1:30 p.m.)

This virtual and interactive presentation will guide participants through building accessibility into planning, hosting, and presenting at online and in person events and meetings. Accessibility ensures that people with a variety of hearing, sight, movement, and cognitive abilities can participate fully and equitably.

Register now.

About the presenter: Andrew Jantzen, who will lead this discussion, is an Accessibility Capacity Building Program Specialist at the Nova Scotia Accessibility Directorate. In this role, he works with organizations with accessibility legislative requirements to build their capacity to do accessibility work. They also develop educational resources and webinars on accessibility topics. They are a person with a disability who uses a power wheelchair, they have a physics degree, and they have a cat named Luna.


November 29

Film screening and discussion: Our Hearts Aren’t Disabled (Begins at 4-6 p.m.)

You are invited to a screening of the film, Our Hearts Aren't Disabled (run time: 85 minutes), on Wednesday, Nov. 29 beginning at 4 p.m. The film examines the romantic lives and trials of six people living with mobility challenges. Its characters are people of different ages, genders, orientations, and ethnicities. Multi-disciplinary artist Josh Dunn features as both subject and interviewer as he endeavours to shed light on the difficulties he and others face. Sometimes a painful journey filled with heartbreak, Our Hearts Aren't Disabled also features a healthy dose of wit, humour, and perseverance, helping the viewer to see that disability places no barrier on the power and beauty of one's humanity.

The screeing will be offered as a hybrid presentation in person (Life Sciences Centre, Room 236) and virtually via YouTube. A Q&A with the filmmaker, Josh Dunn, will take place via Microsoft Teams following the screening. Instructions on joining online will be shared with those who register.

Register now!


November 30

Bridging the Digital Divide: A lunch and learn with Microsoft Canada (11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

We all play a critical role in creating a world in which everyone can participate. How do we all create and support a culture of accessibility and inclusion in workplace and business practices? And with technology woven through every element of our life, how can we use it to be the greatest of enablers, creating experiences and opportunities for everyone to be more inclusive?

Register now!

Jason (Jay) Brommet is the Lead Modern Work/Surface & Commercial Accessibility at Microsoft. Jay’s passion for technology and its potential inspires him to help organizations of all sizes reimagine what is possible and unlock the opportunity to do amazing things for their employees, customers, and the world. Jay is also an advocate for technology enabling inclusivity and accessibility.

Join Jay for this virtual session on Microsfot Teams to learn more. 

Panel discussion: Debunking ableism (5:30 - 8 p.m.)

The Diversity and Equity Committee (DEC) Conversation Series, School of Social Work in Collaboration with the dis(Ability) Caucus, Dalhousie University offers an interactive “Panel Discussion on Debunking Ableism” for Dalhousie University Accessibility Week 2023. The event is scheduled for 5:30pm to 8:00pm (Atlantic Time).

Register now!

PANELISTS
Hannah Parks: Furthering Disability Justice: Exploring Critical Access Points for Supporting Post-Secondary Students with Disabilities
Rose Singh: Countering Ableism through Disability Justice
Dr. Cameron McKenzie: Experiences of Disabled Faculty Members: Confronting Barriers to Social Inclusion
Sarah Norris: Climate Change, Health, and (dis)Ability
Dr. Ifeyinwa Mbakogu: Racialization of Disability

MODERATOR
Dr. Judy MacDonald

Participants will also engage in discussions with panelists

EVERYONE IS WELCOME
VIA MICROSOFT TEAMS WEBINAR
NOTE: REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND THIS EVENT

With AI-generated Captions

This event is brought to you by the Diversity and Equity Committee (DEC) of the School of Social Work, Dalhousie University.​

NOTE: The Diversity and Equity Committee (DEC) Events are not recorded to offer safe spaces for presenters and audiences to engage in critical discussions


December 1

Virtual lunch and learn: How does Dalhousie manage student and employee accommodations? (12 – 1 p.m. online)

Designed as a virtual ‘lunch and learn’ this presentation will outline Dal's accommodation processes for students and employees. The session will wrap with a definition of ‘duty to accommodate’ providing specific examples for reference.

Register now!

Speakers include Jen Davis, Manager Student Accessibility Centre; Orla McDevitt, Director Accessible Employment; Lisa DeLong, Director Human Rights and Equity Services; moderated by Quenta Adams, AVP Student Engagement and Success and co-chair Dalhousie Accessibility Advisory Committee.


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Accessibility Week content
 


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What It's Like web series returns


What's It's Like runs each fall during Dalhousie Accessibility Week and showcases first-person stories from our campus community of people's experiences living with visible or invisible disabilities.

Those who'd like to submit to the series are invited to answer a few questions (see below) and share via email (address below) — or, if preferred, can answer these in a short interview by phone or Teams if time allows. Stories will then be shared on Today@Dal periodically as we receive them.

People may choose to share their names or remain anonymous (Note: names will be visible to individuals receiving submissions by email or conducting interviews).

Our questions for you:

  • Tell us a little about yourself and your role here at Dal. (Note: If remaining anonymous, this prompt can be skipped — or, simply share as much detail as you feel comfortable doing).

  • What do you wish people knew about your disability?

  • What accessibility changes would have the biggest impact on your experience here at Dal?

If you’re interested in sharing your experiences navigating university life with a visible or invisible disability, please contact us at today@dal.ca with answers to the above questions or to set up a short interview.


The International Day for Persons with Disabilities (Dec. 3)


Dal's Accessibility Week take place each year in the lead up to the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

Learn more.

Quick links