About
The UVic Accessible Teaching and Learning Community of Practice aims to support faculty and instructors in enhancing accessible pedagogy and expanding accessibility and inclusive learning approaches in courses. This community provides a space for dialogue and professional development centered on inclusive teaching practices, fostering an access-centered campus culture. Although, Academic Accommodations for students with disabilities and their implementation are relevant to dialogues surrounding accessibility, the main focus of this community of practice is on understanding accessibility, sharing strategies and innovative ways to expand access to learning and to ensure alignment with UVic’s commitment to inclusivity as outlined in the UVic Accessibility Plan and the Equity Action Plan.
Guiding principles
Faculty and instructors at UVic play an important role in fostering an accessible and equitable learning environment through implementing accommodations and supporting student access to learning. To support the UVic Accessibility Plan and Equity Action Plan, LTSI is launching the UVic Accessible Teaching and Learning Community of Practice in the Fall of 2024. We are inviting faculty and instructors to join a community dedicated to addressing, implementing and sharing wise practices on accessible teaching and learning across disciplines. The Community will support education in access centered pedagogy and provide a platform to share ideas and experiences aimed at promoting and enhancing accessibility in their courses.
LTSI staff will lead the Community by facilitating a respectful and supportive space for shared learning and growth and to enhance UVic’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion. The UVic Accessible Teaching and Learning Community of Practice will have set annual meetings, communication touch points and focused learning engagements on accessibility in post-secondary education. It will also provide a shared online space for knowledge sharing, resources and innovative teaching tools. All members of the UVic faculty and instructor community will be invited to attend.
Goals
Create a cross-discipline community of UVic faculty and instructors interested in accessibility in pedagogy and access-centered learning
Provide a respectful and productive platform for communication, relationship building, touchpoints, learning and sharing
Share knowledge, ideas, experiences, resources and innovative practices in accessibility in post-secondary education
Support UVic’s Accessibility and Equity Action plans specifically regarding: Educate: ‘Advance and support accessibility and inclusion including through training and awareness efforts’
Access-centered: ‘Promote and support professional development opportunities and events that build an inclusive campus and culture’
Expanding Equity: ‘Assist instructors and faculty in their capacity to support university community members with disabilities’
Recognize the intersectional nature of disability and issues of accessibility by connecting with other UVic inclusion & advocacy interested parties including those engaged in decolonization, anti-racism and integrating Indigenous ways of teaching and learning
Structure & engagement
There are multiple ways for interested parties to engage in this Community of Practice. Interested parties are welcome to attend all or any forms of engagement. To encourage access, we have multiple means for engagement from online to in-person opportunities.
For all engagements, LTSI staff take responsibility for scheduling engagements, agenda development, and facilitating meetings. In addition, LTSI will invite Community of Practice interested parties to fill out an annual anonymous evaluation to help LTSI improve the Community of Practice experience.
Multi-access meetings
- 3 multi-access meetings per term during the September to April terms
- Held in the Clearihue video conferencing rooms (B wing) and on Zoom
- Chaired by LTSI Curriculum Specialist staff
- Format includes: Instructor- presented case studies on accessible pedagogy; Mini presentations focused on accessibility and inclusion
Workshops
- By request, year-round
- Tailored to specific topic
Membership
Members include any UVic faculty member, instructor, educator, or LTSI representative.
Join the Community of Practice!
Sign up now to stay informed about upcoming activities and opportunities within the Community of Practice and be the first to know about new events, resources, and collaborative initiatives.
