Employees with Disabilities Community Network
Who we are
Toronto Metropolitan University’s Employees with Disabilities Community Network includes faculty and staff with visible and non-visible disabilities. Through their mutual support, members provide a diverse perspective of their experiences of living and working with disabilities.
Across the Universe-City
The network is proud to present Across the Universe-City, a short film that captures stories from the lived experiences of employees with disabilities at TMU.
The film challenges viewers to consider their role in creating a more inclusive experience for everyone.
What we do
The network brings together employees with disabilities, providing them with a community forum to support one another through shared understanding, peer support and mentoring. We also raise awareness of those with disabilities, identify barriers to inclusion, and advocate to promote an equitable and inclusive workplace for all.
Resources
Accessibility unit, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI)
The Accessibility unit in the OVPECI provides a comprehensive list of university resources and community supports to facilitate accessibility at TMU, including:
- Community supports
- Guides to help create inclusive experiences
- Plans and policies that inform accessibility standards at TMU
Workplace Wellbeing Services, Human Resources
HR’s Workplace Wellbeing Services team is committed to strengthening Toronto Metropolitan University as a healthy, diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. They provide information and support for employee-accommodation plans and health-related issues that may result in short- or long-term sick leave. Their website also includes a list of mental-health resources.
TMU Diversity Self-ID: Employee Diversity Data Centre
TMU’s Diversity Self-ID data includes information about the recruitment, representation and retention of employees from six equity-deserving groups: women, racialized people, Black people, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ people.
Accessibility Data Hub from Statistics Canada
Explore Statistics Canada’s Accessibility Data Hub (external link) for data related to accessibility and disability. The hub offers disaggregated data (large data sets broken down by categories such as disability type and severity, age, region, gender, ethnicity, income level, etc.). This information can help users better understand the important differences in the experiences of different groups, including the barriers they face.
Eh Sayers podcast from Statistics Canada
Check out Statistic Canada’s Eh Sayers podcast. The first episode focuses on disability in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic (external link) . Participants discuss the realities of people living with disabilities, their challenges and all the changes that the pandemic has brought in their daily lives.
Get in touch or join the network
Members are not required to disclose their disability in the workplace or with members of the network. They have the option to participate through a confidential listserv only or to choose to participate in activities based on their interest and availability.
To get in touch with the Employees with Disabilities Community Network, please contact the co-chairs:
Sricamalan (Sri) Pathmanathan
Human Resources and Employment Equity Coordinator, Human Resources
Email: pathmana@torontomu.ca
Phone: 416-979-5000, ext. 557976
Dr. Susan Silver
Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Faculty of Community Services
Email: ssilver@torontomu.ca
Phone: 416-979-5000, ext. 556216