Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Accessibility Advisory Committee supports Capilano University in meeting the requirements of the Accessible B.C. Act.

Its purpose is to assist the Senior Leadership Council in identifying, removing, and preventing barriers for individuals studying, working or interacting with the University.

To achieve these purposes, the Committee will:

• Provide guidance and input to the Senior Leadership Council on how the University receives feedback from the University community, on accessibility needs and on the implementation of the University Accessibility Plan;
• Serve as an advisory forum and learning circle that collects, shares and synthesizes feedback from the University Community;
• Support implementation by fostering a responsive, collaborative approach rather than acting as an oversight body;
• Recommend accessibility priorities, goals, and actions, informed by lived experience, consultation, and shared learning.

The Accessibility Advisory Committee is guided by the principles that:

• Accessibility is a shared responsibility;
• Participation is welcoming, supportive, and non-evaluative;
• The Committee serves as a catalyst for shared learning and implementation across the University.

The Committee will have 8–12 members representing the University community.

Administrative leads or designates, from among four (2)

• Capilano Faculty Association (2)
• Capilano Students' Union Executive appointed by the CSU (1)
• Centre for Accessibility Services (1)
• Facilities (1)
• MoveUP (2)
• Optional external member (with disability-related expertise and/or lived experience) (1)
• People, Culture, and Diversity (1)
• Students, who may also be members of the CSU board (3) 

Co-chairs

• One elected from the members
• One designated from the four administrative leads (or designates)

Representation

• At least half the members are persons with disabilities or work in disability-related fields.
• At least one member is Indigenous.
• Members may represent multiple identities.

The Committee may support:

• Implementation Working Groups of staff/faculty directly responsible for accessibility actions, coordinated in partnership with the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
• Learning Circles to collaboratively explore complex barriers, share progress, and find adaptive solutions.

These groups will be open and welcoming, where members of the University community can seek support, share progress and collaboratively navigate challenges.

The Committee acts as a collaborative advisory body and a learning community, providing guidance and input to the four operational accessibility leads:

• Strategic Director, People, Culture, and Diversity;
• Associate Vice President Academic/Associate Provost;
• Associate Vice President, Facilities, Services and Campus Planning; and
• Associate Vice President, Student Success.

Committee members are expected to:

• Attend and prepare for meetings, notifying co-chairs if unable to attend.
• Step aside if ongoing absence prevents participation.
• Be prepared and informed of relevant issues, whether from experience, education, research, or influence.
• Share independent views while being a team member and accept or receive feedback in a respectful and effective manner.
• Analyze barrier resolution goals from many perspectives, considering the larger system within which these reside.
• Be responsible for the continued review of university practice and for making recommendations for improved service.  
• Use a constructive, collaborative, and rational approach to problem-solving.
• Maintain confidentiality of information disclosed in confidence.

Meeting frequency and format (in-person or online) will be determined by the Committee.

Co-chairs will prepare the agenda in collaboration with members.

Members may propose agenda items one week in advance.

Minutes will be recorded and approved at the next meeting.

Members serve two-year terms.

After the first cycle, half the existing members will be re-appointed for one year to ensure staggered renewal.

Experts may be invited to attend meetings as guests. Guests will be formally invited by the co-chairs.

The Committee reports to the Senior Leadership Council through the two co-chairs.

Accountability is shared and relational: the Committee supports implementation leaders while also remaining responsive to feedback from the community.

At the discretion of the administrative leads in consultation with the co-chairs and committee members, these terms of reference may be adjusted to align with changing requirements.