Creating accessible spaces, services, and communities for all students, faculty and staff are core elements of one of StFX’s values: a commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA). This year, StFX accelerated efforts to advance accessibility on its campus, informed by its first university-wide Accessibility Plan. The Plan identifies specific goals and initiatives to advance accessibility in our community and ensure that the university supports the Province of Nova Scotia’s goal of being an accessible province by 2030, for persons with disabilities and individuals who experience barriers to equal access.
“Creating and supporting a campus culture based on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility is a priority for the university. The StFX Accessibility Plan is an important strategy that, upon full implementation, will advance the human rights of persons with disabilities, and have a significant positive impact on our campus community,” said Dr. Andy Hakin, President and Vice-Chancellor.
The StFX Accessibility Plan, informed by the Province of Nova Scotia Access By Design 2030 Plan as well as the Nova Scotia Post-Secondary Accessibility Framework, identifies six key areas where improvements are needed and the university’s commitment to each:
• Teaching, Learning and Research
• Information and Communication
• Goods and Services
• Employment
• Transportation
• Built Environment
Each area of commitment is supported by a series of goals and recommendations, which StFX will track to measure its progress towards facilitating accessibility for persons with disabilities and individuals who experience barriers to accessing post-secondary education and working at StFX University. For further information about the recommendations, click here or download the full plan below:
Download: StFX Accessibility Plan (PDF)
Download: StFX Accessibility Plan (Text)
StFX University’s commitment to accessibility begins with identifying, removing, and preventing barriers to accessibility in all aspects of university life. These barriers may be attitudinal, organizational, physical, or within the design of information, communications, and technology systems. The StFX Accessibility Plan calls for efforts by all members of the university community to work proactively to embed practices related to equity and accessibility in all aspects of our university culture and experience and cultivate a sense of belonging that supports the dignity, safety, and well-being of all students, faculty, and staff with disabilities and individuals who experience barriers to equal access within our living, learning, and working environment.
The StFX Accessibility Advisory Committee and StFX Student Accessibility Advisory Committee who guided the Plan’s development were cross-functional and received input from the community via a campus-wide consultation process. This input informed the final plan, which also incorporates the Province of Nova Scotia’s initial planning recommendations for post-secondary institutions.
The StFX Accessibility Plan is envisioned as a catalyst for creating a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible campus, but that will require a sustained commitment. “We see these as important first steps,” said Ms. Monica Foster, Vice-President, Finance and Administration and Co-Chair of the StFX Accessibility Advisory Committee. “It is clear there is more work to do to better support persons with disabilities and persons who experience barriers to accessibility, and we are committed to ongoing, meaningful action. We all have a role to play.”
With the StFX Accessibility Plan endorsed by the Board of Governors and its vision endorsed by Senate, StFX is well positioned to take the next steps necessary to address systemic issues, create more accessible spaces and enhance our capacity to be an equitable living, learning, and working environment for persons with disabilities and individuals who experience barriers in accessing post-secondary education and working at StFX University.
StFX will continue to collaborate with other post-secondary institutions, the StFX Accessibility Advisory Committee, the StFX Student Accessibility Advisory Committee, the Nova Scotia Accessibility Directorate, and other campus and community partners to advance the goals and initiatives of this Plan.
As we launch the StFX Accessibility Plan, it is a perfect time to renew our commitment and take action to identify, prevent, and remove barriers to making StFX University more accessible. Through individual and collective action, we can ensure that we create welcoming spaces of belonging, access, and well-being for persons with disabilities.
For more information about the StFX Accessibility Plan or to request alternate print formats, please contact @email
