On December 3, York University joins the world in marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
This day is recognized annually with efforts to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It is a reminder to prioritize the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives and our shared communities.
According to the United Nations, persons with disabilities, “the world’s largest minority,” have generally poorer health, lower educational achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. They face barriers to employment and have a higher risk of violence among many other challenges to their well-being.
York’s Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy has many goals, including the maximal participation of all constituents in community life, including decision-making and leadership. Ableist barriers exclude the contributions of persons with disabilities to the detriment of communities as a whole, reducing the diversity of insights, talents and possibilities among us.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes that the existence of barriers constitutes a central component of disability. The University has recently reconvened its Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Co-ordinating Committee to continue its work to remove barriers for persons with disabilities.
Community members are encouraged to take time to refresh skills (e.g. how to make word documents or zoom and teams meetings accessible), learn more (e.g. attending the challenging notions of ableism workshop or learning about Universal Design for Learning principles and pedagogies), and to contemplate how they can contribute to a more accessible and inclusive University community (e.g. running inclusive events, accommodating students with disabilities).
Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.
Laina Y. Bay-Cheng
Vice-President Equity, People and Culture