Statement of Commitment
A view of Gould Street facing west toward Yonge Street. On the left is “Devonian Pond” (aka Lake Devo) and on the right is Kerr Hall. This image reflects the changes to Gould Street made in the Fall of 2020 with the removal of the sidewalks making the street more accessible to people using mobility devices.
Toronto Metropolitan University actively seeks and supports the full participation of all community members with disabilities. Our commitment to accessibility begins with identifying, removing and preventing social, communication and physical barriers to inclusion of persons with disabilities. In recognizing how barriers create disability, our focus shifts to the environment where we can seek solutions to remove them. Our commitment also involves recognizing disability as diversity, not deficit, which contributes to the creative mix of ideas and experiences.
Equity, diversity, inclusion and an accessible environment for all are integral to attaining excellence in higher education. At Toronto Metropolitan University, that environment is informed by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code). The AODA obliges institutions to provide a barrier-free environment that supports dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity for all persons with disabilities. The Code guarantees the right to equal treatment in education, and equal opportunity in employment without discrimination on the ground of disability. This includes the rights of students with disabilities to be appropriately accommodated in programming, academic life, experiential learning, employment and student housing.
Toronto Metropolitan University has a bold and progressive approach to taking action on accessibility through Access TMU, a university-wide initiative whose mandate is to transform the University into a leader of excellence in accessibility for and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Access TMU’s foundational principles and values further guide our community in breaking down barriers, eliminating bias, and challenging ableism (external link) so that all students, staff and faculty can be agents of positive change.
We strive to go beyond legal requirements. Everything that the university offers both virtually and onsite — including but not limited to physical spaces, teaching and learning activities, creative and research pursuits, student and employee supports and services, operational policies and procedures, and co-curricular activities and career opportunities — will provide an equitable and inclusive experience for every member of our community. For students in particular, our focus on sustainable and evolving accessible solutions means providing inclusive and engaging learning environments for a diverse population.
A just and inclusive university is one which anticipates and values difference. In taking deliberate action to create a fully accessible learning environment and workplace, we advance our vision of a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
Join us on the journey—you have a unique role to play.