Accessibility Committee

Accessibility Committee

  • The primary mandate of the committee is to advise Senate on its work, decision-making, and policy development, with a focus on accessibility, as such term is defined in the University’s Accessibility Plan.
  • The committee will liaise and consult with the relevant university committees and offices on accessibility issues relevant to matters under the jurisdiction of Senate, including educational policy, teaching, and learning.
  • This committee will also:
    1. Identify and prioritize issues of accessibility with regard to teaching and learning and provide information, advice, and policy recommendations in this regard to Senate.
    2. Through regular liaising with the relevant university committees and offices, maintain Senate’s awareness of University initiatives related to accessibility that impact areas for which Senate is responsible. 
    3. Collect and share resources pertaining to accessibility, accommodations, and inclusive teaching; this will be part of the committee’s regular reports to Senate.
  • Senate committee should meet with the relevant university committees / offices at least once a term.
  • The committee’s chair will also sit on the relevant university committee.
  • The composition of this committee will be as follows:
    1. At least one member will be an elected member of Senate;
    2. One faculty member from each of the four Faculties of Arts, Science, Sobey School of Business and Graduate Studies and Research;
    3. Two students appointed by the Students’ Association;
    4. Associate Vice-President, Teaching and Learning (or designate);
    5. University Librarian (or designate);
    6. One representative appointed by the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility
    7. One representative from the Accessibility Advisory Committee
    8. Secretary of Senate (non-voting recording secretary)
  • At least 50% of the committee will be persons who self-identify as having disabilities.
  • Senate will seek to appoint to this committee persons who have self-identified as having lived experience relevant to the mandate of this committee
  • Committee shall seek ways to improve the knowledge base of members with regards to institutional policies, plans and procedures related to accessibility through consultation with relevant University committees and offices.

Membership 2025-2026

Dr Mark Fleming, Elected member of Senate 

Dr Paul Dixon (MGSC/Bus) (Cochair)

Dr. Rachel Zellars (SJCS/Arts)

TBA, (/Science)

Dr. Margaret MacDonald (/FGSR)

TBA Accessibility Committee Rep 

TBA Learning and Teaching Representative

Ms Jennifer Tupper, one representative from the Studio for Teaching and Learning

Ms Alison Manley, representative from Library

Mr Bill Travis, representative from the Fred Smithers Centre

Mr Ethan Stanhope (Student rep appt’d by SA to Apr/26)                               

Ms Kavya Shah  (Student rep appt’d by SA to Apr/26)     

Ms. Shannon Morrison, Secretary of Senate (Sect.)

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