The creation of a Coordinated Accessibility Strategy emerged from the desire to continue building on Carleton’s commitment to creating a culture of accessibility. Following an extensive consultation process, Carleton University was proud to share its first ever Coordinated Accessibility Strategy with the community in 2020.

The Coordinated Accessibility Strategy serves as a framework to guide Carleton’s ongoing commitment towards a campus that is accessible for all students, employees, and visitors. The Strategy is intended to not only coordinate the many accessibility services, programs, and initiatives that already exist, but also continue to inspire a strong campus culture of accessibility and inclusion.

The Office of the Vice-President (Students and Enrolment) played an important role in the creation of the Coordinated Accessibility Strategy by helping to create and implement the consultation workplan, ensuring that the diverse voices of the Carleton community could be represented in the final document. Presently, the Coordinated Accessibility Strategy Advisory Committee is co-chaired by the four Vice-Presidents, including the Vice-President (Students and Enrolment), and lead by the Research, Education, Accessibility and Design (READ) Initiative.

As implementation begins, it is hoped that the Coordinated Accessibility Strategy will be a living document that evolves to reflect changing accessibility needs and supports all members of the Carleton community — faculty, staff, and students — to work towards an accessible and inclusive environment in which to pursue educational and life goals.

To learn more about Carleton’s Coordinated Accessibility Strategy, please visit the READ Initiative’s website.