McGill’s new accessibility strategy will strengthen access and promote the full inclusion of McGill students, faculty and staff with disabilities. The University Senate got a preview on April 16, 2025, allowing the plan to move to the implementation phase.
“The adoption of the strategy means validation and concrete resources. It shows McGill is committed to becoming as accessible and welcoming as possible,” said Catherine Roy, Accessibility Advisor on the Equity Team (Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic).
Roy shared a few highlights of what to expect in the coming academic year:
- A review of and improvements to the accommodation process: “The consultations for the strategy helped us identify gaps in our accommodation process. We were already having conversations about supporting students to succeed in their off-campus studies, like field work or internships. The Strategy will advance our practices. It will also consider the particular needs of grad students.”
- Addressing gaps in the service animal policy for staff, administrators and faculty: “There is no official government certification for service animals in Quebec. The Strategy addresses the gaps, especially for emotional support animals.”
- Better support for faculty in implementing Universal Design Learning (UDL) principles: “One of the things we really want to push this year is supporting faculty more with regards to UDL. It’s an amazing tool, but it can be overwhelming. We’re looking at how we can help educators design from the ground up.”
The McGill Accessibility Strategy builds on and expands the objectives of the recently extended Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan 2020-2025, and becomes an official instrument of the University’s EDI plan, Roy said.
Next steps include assembling an Accessibility Strategy Implementation Committee to evaluate and prepare enactment of the new plan. Like the consultation process that led to the adoption of the new strategy, the implementation committee will centre the perspectives of people with disabilities.
“We’ll be asking certain units to select representatives and as well as reserving seats for students, faculty and staff at McGill, with a view towards prioritizing the participation ofpeople with disabilities,” said Roy.
“Over the past four years, we’ve heard so much about how accessibility is understood as the right thing to do, and in certain areas, as a legal obligation. Still, even with the commitments within the EDI Plan, people with disabilities told us they felt forgotten or unseen – that their issues were considered too complicated,” she said.
The committee will also develop key metrics and promote accountability across the institution. The approach includes introducing a new page on the Equity Team website, which will allow the University community to track the strategy’s progress.
“I want to show what we’re doing and be as transparent as we can,” Roy explained.
To learn more about the McGill Accessibility Strategy and overall commitments to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, visit the Equity Team website.