Accessibility experts at Niagara College have launched a new digital Accessibility Hub for any community organization with an interest in equity, human rights, and eliminating barriers for people with disabilities.
"This is a hugely impactful resource for Niagara College, but also for the broader community seeking to create more accessible and inclusive communications and events," said Natasha Patrito Hannon, Director, Teaching and Learning Innovation in the Centre for Academic Excellence. "The Hub was designed for educators and non-educators alike to build accessibility-first habits into all facets of their work."
The new, open-source resource was made possible thanks to a $230,000 grant from the Virtual Learning Strategy, an eCampusOntario-led initiative funded by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. The NC team developed over 55 articles, checklists, videos, and resources with straight-forward recommendations for those seeking to simplify the creation of accessible web content, learning materials, and experiences for students or anyone with a disability.
"We are thrilled the Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS) has enabled projects like the Accessibility Hub," said Jason Northway-Frank, manager, Governance and Strategic Communications at e-Campus Ontario. "Wraparound supports for learners and staff are essential to creating an inclusive teaching and learning environment. The resources and training found on the Accessibility Hub help reduce barriers to broaden access to education and ensure learners' needs are met throughout their educational journeys."
The Accessibility Hub was designed as a template with flexibility in mind. Since all materials are openly licensed, they can be adopted, adapted, and repurposed by individuals or organizations around the world to improve the accessibility of their professional communications, events, and courses.
"The Accessibility Hub is one way that Niagara College is focused on being a local and global community builder and is part of our continued efforts to be more inclusive and foster a supportive student experience," said Patrito Hannon.
The developers behind the Accessibility Hub are a group of provincially and nationally recognized experts including staff from NC's Centre for Academic Excellence, Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services, and Marketing and Student Recruitment departments. The stories of NC students and recent alumni with lived experiences of disability are shared throughout the site.
"The Hub is the culmination of a truly collaborative, cross-institutional effort, with more than 30 staff, faculty, alumni, and students contributing to its creation - from writing articles and checklists, to coordinating video shoots, editing written and video content, and creating the site architecture," said Patrito Hannon.
Acknowledging that the Hub is a work in progress, the creators have integrated multiple feedback mechanisms - including the "Your Feedback" page - to gather input from users and identify opportunities for improvement and expansion.
In early May, NC's Patrito Hannon, educational developer Whit Ross, and adaptive technology specialist Jim McEwen, will deliver a session about the Accessibility Hub to educators across Ontario at eCampusOntario's VLS Collection Open House.
"We will be working with college partners to develop a plan for maintaining and expanding this important resource," said Patrito Hannon.
Explore the accessibilityhub.niagaracollege.ca and save it to your bookmarks for future reference.
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
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Media inquiries, please contact:
Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
519-809-7634
[email protected]
