The Disability Affinity Program is a space for University of Waterloo students, staff, and faculty to seek peer support, community, and collaboration. The Disability Affinity Program comprises the Student Disability Community Network, the Employee Disability Community Network, and the Accessibility Ally Network.
The Student Disability Community Network and the Employee Disability Community Network hosts monthly meetings for persons with lived experience of disability to build community.
The Accessibility Ally Network hosts monthly meetings for those with accessibility mandates or ambitions, academic areas of expertise, and/or disability-lived experiences to collaborate and exchange knowledge through presentations and discussions.
If you need accessibility supports for a specific event or meeting, please reach out to aoda@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 x43428.
Community Engagement Opportunities
There are opportunities for members of the University of Waterloo community to engage with the advancement of accessibility and disability inclusion across our campuses, including we work towards AODA consultation requirements (such as the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, development of physical spaces, etc.), the proposed AODA Postsecondary Education Standards, and other University strategic initiatives. Opportunities for consultation and community engagement with campus projects will be promoted to members of the Disability Community Networks and the Accessibility Ally Network through email newsletters and be discussed during Network meetings.
If you have any questions about community engagement opportunities or would like to promote your University of Waterloo community engagement opportunity, please contact aoda@uwaterloo.ca.
Disability Community Network
The Disability Community Network is a university-wide initiative with the goal of creating space for community members with disabilities to seek peer support, knowledge exchange, and community. The Disability Community Network is open to all persons with current lived experience of disability, including apparent and non-apparent disabilities. These informal networks meet monthly, alternating between in-person and virtual meetings.
Communications about the Student Disability Community Network or the Employee Disability Community Network are sent out through a confidential Mailchimp mailing list. Please sign up for one of the mailing lists using the button below.
Disability Community Network - Terms of Reference
Accessibility Ally Network
The Accessibility Ally Network supports the advancement of accessibility and disability inclusion across our campuses by building a space for those with academic areas of expertise, accessibility mandates or ambitions, and/or lived experiences with disability to collaborate and exchange knowledge. Monthly, virtual meetings showcase educational presentations and campus projects to facilitate learning and collaboration.
Accessibility Ally Networks are open to all students, staff, and faculty at the University of Waterloo.
Communication about the Accessibility Ally Network is sent out through a Microsoft Teams channel. Join this channel using the button below.
Accessibility Ally Network - Upcoming Meetings
Thursday, May 15, 2025
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Virtual (MS Teams)
Topic: Meet the Digital Accessibility Community of Practice and Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Presenters: Elizabeth Rogers, Digital Experiences Manager, Faculty of Arts, Amanda Vos, Digital Experience Team Lead, Co-operative Education, Nem Radenovic, Digital Communications, University Relations
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Virtual (MS Teams)
Topic: Be You! and Arts First