A message from AVP, Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Dr. David Paterson
The creation of VIU's inaugural Accessibility Commitment and subsequent Plan would not be possible without the incredible work of the Universal Access Committee led by Dr. Linda Derkson. This committee has worked to move VIU towards managing its built environment in a way that allows individuals of diverse abilities to work and learn, with ease, on VIU's physically challenging campus. Many of their accomplishments are highlighted in the “Our Accessibility Story” section of this report.
The Universal Access Committee worked to shift the culture and attitudes towards a greater understanding and championing of inclusion and accessibility at VIU.
In the interests of fulfilling the requirements of the Accessible BC Act (2021) and expanding the culture of accessibility to include all the Standards currently under development, it was decided that a new committee would be struck to support the legislation governing broader accessibility issues that include, and go beyond, the built environment.
I am delighted to champion the work of the VIU Accessibility Committee as they work to support the Accessible BC Act come to life at VIU.
Introduction
About VIU
Vancouver Island University is a public university on the west coast of Canada with campuses in Nanaimo, Cowichan and Powell River. We are proud to support approximately 12,000 (headcount) students as they work towards their educational goals, including approximately 800 students with designated disabilities. VIU employs approximately 1500 faculty and staff who are committed to providing students, employees and visitors with an inclusive and accessible experience.
Vancouver Island University has more than 120 programs, including graduate degrees, undergraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates.
Vancouver Island University endeavors to create an inclusive and welcoming culture, where people from all walks of life feel included and can equally access the university programs, services, and facilities. VIU strives to apply an accessibility lens to all aspects of the campus experience.
Our accessibility story
Vancouver Island University has already made some great strides towards greater accessibility and inclusion for people living with disabilities. VIU aims to improve upon these achievements and is excited to continue to engage in this important work. Achievements have been made that relate to various aspects of accessibility. VIU is grateful to the Rick Hansen Foundation for funding that has allowed for upgrades to the built environment at VIU.
Some of these achievements include the creation of an accessibility map that shows users how to safely navigate VIU's steep campus without having to use stairs. That map has grown to an interactive web map and the creation of many other maps to support access.
VIU Facilities | Vancouver Island University | Canada
Grants, including support from the Rick Hansen Foundation, have supported the building of new ramps and accessible washrooms and mitigating other accessibility issues in some of the oldest buildings.
VIU's Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning offers support and education in Universal Design for Learning to support instructors in implementing best practice to accommodate students who require it. Students are also supported by VIU's wonderful Accessibility Services Team.
One final example, in a list of achievements, is VIU's web team who have worked hard, and continue to work, to meet WCAG digital accessibility guidelines. All new web editors are required to take digital accessibility training. This training is supported by a moderation process that has been set up to thoroughly review all new and recently updated content to help ensure accessibility standards are met.
Definitions
Barrier - Anything that hinders the full and equal participation in society of a person living with a disability. Barriers can be caused by environments, attitudes, practices, policies, information, communications, technology and can be affected by intersecting forms of discrimination.
Disability/Diverse abilities - An inability to participate fully and equally in society as the result of an intersection of an impairment and a barrier.
Impairment - Includes a physical, sensory, mental, intellectual or cognitive impairment, whether permanent, temporary or episodic.
Inclusion - Intentionally and proactively taking steps and action to create an environment where all are welcomed, respected, valued and belong.
The guiding framework
Legislation - Accessible BC Act (June 2021)
The Accessible BC Act requires certain organizations, including public universities, to create an accessibility plan. The plan must outline how the organization will identify, remove and prevent barriers to individuals in or interacting with the organization.
There are three required parts to an organization’s compliance with the Accessible BC Act:
- Accessibility committee
- Accessibility plan
- Accessibility feedback mechanism
This legislation requires compliance to the following principles when developing or updating the accessibility plan:
- adaptability
- collaboration
- diversity
- inclusion
- self-determination
- universal design
BC Human Rights Code
This important piece of legislation promotes the rights of people with disabilities and other marginalized groups, so that they will have full and free participation in all aspects of life.
Accessible Canada Act
In 2019, the Accessible Canada Act was introduced, with the aim of creating an accessible Canada by 2040. It follows the principle of “nothing about us without us”, which promotes including people with disabilities in all aspects of planning for change.
Existing VIU policies
- 21.04 Diversity and Educational Equity
- 21.03 Human Rights
- 21.02 Accommodation of Employees
- 32.02 Services Available to Students with a Documented Disability
Internal values
Vancouver Island University is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, human rights and accessibility. These commitments are evidenced in VIU's Strategic Plan. The office of VIU's Diversity, Equity and Human Rights is coordinating the creation and maintenance of the Accessibility Plan and Accessibility Committee.
About our committee
Vancouver Island University’s inaugural Accessibility Plan committee was struck in May 2025. The committee was recruited from the university community and is composed of individuals who:
- live with a disability
- work in a disability supportive role
- engage with VIU as a student
- engage with VIU as an employee
- bring expertise in identifying and removing accessibility barriers
The committee adheres to the Accessible BC Act by ensuring that the committee is made up of:
- 50% of members who live with a disability and/or represent disability supporting services or organizations
- at least one member is an Indigenous person
- reflects the diversity of persons in British Columbia
Consultation conducted
In 2023 VIU contracted the services of Accessibility and Inclusion Matter Consulting. Surveys were sent out and interviews conducted with employees at VIU to receive feedback on what they see as accessibility barriers and achievement at VIU.
Information from these consultations will be provided to the VIU Accessibility Plan Committee to help inform their work as they continue the work of improving accessibility at VIU.
Identifying barriers and feedback mechanism
VIU currently hosts a "Report an Accessibility Issue" webform that has been monitored by the Universal Access team. That form will be moved to the upcoming Accessibility Plan website to continue providing students, employees and visitors an important way to report accessibility issues and feedback on the Accessibility Plan Commitments and the future updated Accessibility Plan.
Commitments
Vancouver Island University is committed to continue writing its accessibility story and dedicated to developing and regularly reviewing a robust Accessibility Plan now and in the years to come. Our starting point is with our current commitments below and providing support to the inaugural Accessibility Plan Committee.
Commitment 1: Ensure continuous growth relative to the requirements of the Accessible BC Act
The focus of this commitment is to ensure that the Advisory Committee is well versed in the requirements of the Act and their role in supporting accessibility at VIU. In addition to this, VIU, through the Committee will be reviewing and developing comprehensive data collection to carefully inform the next stages of our Accessibility Plan. This commitment will also work to continue to develop clear, transparent and accessible structures (e.g. website, feedback mechanism) for ease of community access to the information.
Strategies:
- Establish, clarify and strengthen the role of the Accessibility Plan Advisory Committee
- Review and continue to develop a VIU Accessibility Plan specific website that includes:
- VIU's Accessibility Plan
- relevant links to government information in support of accessibility plans
- a feedback mechanism that will allow employees, students and visitors to inform the committee of barriers to accessibility they experience at VIU
- Strive to update this current plan prior to the mandated three-year review to reflect data collected and barriers identified
Commitment 2: Increase awareness, and provide education and training, on the importance of removing visible and invisible barriers to accessibility at VIU
The focus of this commitment is to continue the process of cultural change in helping all members of the VIU community understand how prioritizing accessibility for all strengthens our community and ensures that VIU's mandate as an access university is upheld.
Strategies
- Work with Human Resources and the Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning to include Accessibility Awareness education, where opportunities present, such as in the classroom, department/faculty meetings and in new employee orientation sessions.
- Create a communications plan to highlight current accessibility services and education available to students and employees and how to submit information about accessibility barriers that they identify.
Download the Vancouver Island University Accessibility Plan Commitment 2025-2028