Universal Access Policy – June 1, 2010

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UNIVERSAL ACCESS POLICY

Policy Type:

Management

Initially

Approved:

June 1, 2010

Policy

Sponsor:

Provost & VP

Academic

Last

Revised:

June 1, 2010

Primary

Contact:

Vice-Provost & AVP

Students

Review

Scheduled:

April 2027

Approver:

Board of Governors

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Policy is to:

•

Articulate Mount Royal's commitment to cultivating a universally accessible and inclusive

learning and working environment.

•

Define the systematic approach Mount Royal will use to prevent, identify and remove Barriers.

•

Ensure that Mount Royal proactively meets its legal obligation under Albertan and Canadian

law for accommodating differences amongst its students and employees, including individuals

with disabilities.

SCOPE

This Policy applies to all employees (full-time, part-time, casual, contract employees) and, to all

students (full-time, part-time, credit and non-credit) attending classes at Mount Royal, as well as

visitors to the campus.

POLICY STATEMENT

AUTHORITY

1.1

The Board of Governors of Mount Royal has authority over this Policy.

Administration of the Policy is delegated to the institution's senior executive officers

who, in turn, have delegated this authority to the Vice-Provost and AVP, Students,

or designate.

UNIVERSAL ACCCESS

2.1

Universal Access is an approach to the design of all products, processes,

procedures, systems, structure, and environments. The goal is to make these as

usable as possible by as many individuals as possible, regardless of age, ability or

situation. "Universal" does not imply one solution for everyone; rather, it reflects

an awareness of the unique nature of each individual as well as the need to

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accommodate differences. The aim is to create learning and working experiences

to suit the individual and to maximize the individual's ability to progress.

2.2

As a public institution, Mount Royal University has two distinct roles -- it is both a

provider of post-secondary education and an employer. Students and employees

at Mount Royal are entitled to a reasonable opportunity to pursue their education

and work goals in a universally accessible and inclusive environment.

2.3

Post-secondary education is the gateway to the workplace and community for most

Canadians; it is essential that post-secondary education be accessible to all

members of the community, including individuals with disabilities.

VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS

3.1

Mount Royal is committed to cultivating a universally accessible environment for

all of its communities through the removal and prevention of accessibility related

Barriers. This approach is informed by Mount Royal’s Vision and Mission

Statements.

3.2

Vision: An exceptional undergraduate educational experience.

3.3

Mission:

We are a community of engaged citizens, providing personalized,

experiential and outcome-based learning in an environment of inclusion, diversity

and respect. Through our focus on teaching and learning informed by scholarship,

we are preparing our graduates for success in their careers and lives.

PRINCIPLES

The following principles are an expression of the institutional commitment to universal

accessibility.

4.1

Mount Royal supports and welcomes all of its communities.

4.2

In recognition of the diverse population it serves, Mount Royal is committed to

creating a respectful and inclusive working and learning environment.

4.3

Mount Royal is committed to reasonable accommodation of individual needs of its

students and employees through the establishment of effective mechanisms (e.g.,

policies, procedures, guidelines, standards and practices).

4.4

Mount Royal supports the full participation of individuals with disabilities (students,

staff, community members) in all aspects of campus life. Mount Royal is committed

to providing a Barrier-free, universally accessible learning and physical

environment within the limits of Undue Hardship.

4.5

Mount Royal will respond in a timely, confidential and sensitive manner to requests

for accommodation.

4.6

Mount Royal promotes awareness, advocacy and understanding within the entire

Mount Royal community on matters regarding persons with disabilities.

UNIVERSAL ACCESS PLAN

4.1

Mount Royal is committed to cultivating a Barrier-free universally accessible

learning and working environment for students and employees.

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4.2

Despite this objective, Barriers may exist. The role of the Universal Access Plan

is two-fold:

To examine the Mount Royal working and learning environments to

identify any circumstances where Barriers exist; and,

To recommend the ways to eliminate or provide accommodations for

navigating these Barriers for students and/or employees within the limits

of Undue Hardship.

4.3

Framework for Universal Access Plan

The Universal Access Plan will examine the accessibility of products,

processes, procedures, services, systems, structures and environments

in the following areas:

Academic services for students including students with

disabilities;

ii.

Physical facilities used or for use by students and/or employees,

including individuals with disabilities;

iii.

Human Resources including recruitment of and service support

for employees, including those with disabilities;

iv.

Non-academic student support services for students, including

students with disabilities;

Equipment and adaptive technology for students and employees,

including individuals with disabilities;

vi.

Publications, communication and information resources for

students and employees; and,

vii.

Awareness issues for students and employees on academic and

workplace accommodation.

PROCESS

5.1.

The Universal Access Committee has the responsibility to oversee the

development of the Universal Access Plan (the Plan). The Universal Access

Committee reports to its sponsor, the Vice-Provost and AVP, Students.

5.2

The initial Plan will be developed and implemented as resources permit.

5.3.

Progress on the Plan is presented to the Executive Leadership Team annually by

the Vice-Provost and AVP, Students.

5.4

The Plan is updated every five (5) years, or as needed.

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DEFINITIONS

(1)

Barriers:

are structures, designs and/or practices that prevent or

impede a person from accessing a facility or service

(2)

Policy:

means the Universal Access Policy

(3)

Undue Hardship:

as outlined by the Alberta Human Rights Commission, refers

to unreasonable and excessive challenges for the institution

which may include but are not limited to:

(i) unreasonable financial cost of the accommodation(s);

and/or

(ii) students who cannot meet the requirements for entering

or completing the program including bona fide educational

requirements (requirements that are justifiable components

of a program that may limit entry to, or completion of a

program, or a course( and bona fide occupational

requirements (requirements that are justifiable components

of a specific job); and/or

(iii) significant interference with the rights of others; and/or,

(iv) health and safety concerns.

(4)

University:

means Mount Royal University

RELATED POLICIES

•

Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities Policy

•

Human Rights Policy

RELATED LEGISLATION

•

Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

•

Alberta Health Information Act

•

Alberta Human Rights Act

•

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Universal Access Policy – June 1, 2010

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REVISION HISTORY

Date

(mm/dd/yyyy)

Description of

Change

Sections

Author

(Position Title)

Approver

(Position Title)

06/01/2010

NEW

01/22/2020

Editorial

Template Update

Policy Specialist

University Secretary

06/28/2021

Editorial

Title Changes

University Secretary University Secretary