[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/accessibility-audit.jpg” caption=”The McMaster University Committee on Disability and Access will conduct an accessibility audit of McMaster’s campus. Photo courtesy of Sarah Baptiste.”]In order to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 (AODA), the McMaster University Committee on Disability and Access (MUCDA) has obtained a grant to begin the process of a complete campus accessibility audit.

The AODA was created as a means to end discrimination against those living with disability. In order to comply with the act, barriers that prevent individuals living with disabilities from participating in all environments must be removed. The Ontario government expects all communities to implement these changes by the year 2025.

Accessibly Yours, a consultation service in the School of Rehabilitation Science, will undertake the audit. The service's mandate is to enhance environments (physical, cultural, institutional, social and emotional) for the purpose of wellness and occupation.

Student occupational therapists from the School of Rehabilitation Science and accessibility consultant, Shane Holten, will conduct the audit in consultation with volunteers with disabilities. This collaborative process will contribute to an understanding of the campus's strengths and limitations.

Accessibly Yours is currently looking for volunteers (students, staff and faculty) who represent people with a wide range of both seen and unseen disabilities who would be willing to spend a few hours contributing to the audit process. Some volunteers may be asked to give more input as the process continues.

Over the years, McMaster has made many accommodations for people with disabilities. The audit process provides an opportunity to address barriers in a systematic and collaborative manner.

The scope of the act includes physical and architectural barriers, information and communications barriers, attitudinal barriers, technological barriers, and policy and practice barriers.

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Sarah Baptiste at yoursrs@mcmaster.ca. An information meeting will be held on Friday, June 8 at 1 p.m. in the School of Rehabilitation Science, Room 422.