Hosted by the OCUL Accessibility Community, this free online symposium explores critical topics shaping accessibility in the post-secondary library landscape.
Event Information
Around the world, post-secondary libraries are recognizing accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities as a shared priority. In Ontario, 2025 was intended to mark a compliance milestone for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). However, much work remains to be done.
The Accessibility Symposium 2.0 will feature presentations and discussions that reflect on the progress made over the past 20 years and envision a more ambitious and inclusive future for accessibility in academic libraries.
- Dates and times: June 17, 18 and 19, 2025, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time
- Format: Online via Zoom (REGISTRATION & AGENDA TO COME)
This online event is free to attend and open to participants in Ontario and beyond.
Call for Proposals
The symposium planning committee is seeking proposals for presentations and panel talks that explore critical topics in improving accessibility and the experiences of people with disabilities using, and working in, libraries in Ontario's post-secondary landscape. While proposals on initiatives or issues beyond Ontario are invited, submissions that will foster growth in the province's post-secondary libraries are especially welcome. The planning committee is committed to centring disabled voices and encourages submissions that highlight the experiences and contributions of disabled individuals in the library community.
Librarians, library staff, faculty, students, and community members may submit proposals on topics relating to:
- Changes and developments related to the provision of alternative formats
- Post-secondary education standards and compliance in higher education
- Addressing physical barriers and creating accessible spaces in libraries
- Advancements in assistive technologies, including artificial intelligence
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and beyond
- Accessibility legislation, such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
- Evaluating progress and ongoing challenges in removing accessibility barriers in post-secondary libraries (for example, since the AODA deadline for a full accessible Ontario passed on January 1, 2025)
- Accessible procurement
- Employment: recruitment, retention, and accommodations in libraries
- Lived experiences and user-centred perspectives
Session formats
Proposed sessions can be in the following formats:
- Presentation (25 minutes, including a question and answer period)
- Panel talk (50 minutes, including a question and answer period)
Sessions, not including the question and answer period, may be recorded and archived for long-term preservation and sharing. Captioning will be provided.
Proposal submission
Please submit proposals by 9 a.m. EDT on April 22, 2025. The symposium planning committee aims to notify accepted proposals by May 2, 2025.
For More Information
For questions about the Accessibility Symposium 2.0 or submitting a proposal, please email accessibilitysymposium2025@gmail.com.
The Accessibility Symposium 2.0 is organized by:
- Carli Agostino, Carleton University
- Michael R. Clark, University of Waterloo
- Eva Lu, Queen's University
- Megan McMeekin, University of Ottawa
- Sonya Panangaden, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Mark Weiler, Wilfrid Laurier University