Accessibility Hub - Building an
Inclusive and Accessible Community
March 2014 Quarterly Report on the Accessibility Hub
Prepared by:
Andrew Ashby – Accessibility Hub Coordinator and Adaptive Technologies Specialist, Adaptive
Technology Centre
For the Operational Review Committee
This document is available in alternate formats, upon request. Please contact us at 613-533-6000 Ext
75734 or by email at accessibility.hub@queensu.ca
March 2014
Background
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Link to the Accessibility Hub has been placed in the footer of all Queen’s upper pages;
The Accessibility Hub will be taking over Web Standards and Accessibility Development Guide
and the Building Accessibility Guide during the summer of 2014;
The Accessibility Hub Coordinator continues to spend approximately between 20-25 hours/week
on Hub duties.
Education, Training and Awareness
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Workshop - Accessible Documents and websites. February 21, 2014. Follow-up hands-on
workshop on March 21, 2014. (20 participants)
Guest Lecturer for CISC 288: Topic - Accessible websites. February 25, 2014 (85 participants)
Staff development workshop, “In the QLC and at SASS: Assisting Students with
Disabilities”, February 27, 2014 (10 participants)
Project Engagement
On March 5, 2014, Andrew Ashby (Accessibility Hub) received the Steve Cutway Accessibility Award that
acknowledges the efforts of faculty, staff and students who demonstrate creativity, enthusiasm, innovation
and commitment to creating a learning and work environment in which persons with disabilities enjoy full
participation.
Developed the “Accessibility Tip” style
which was added the Queen’s website style
sheet. It is available for anyone to use in
their websites developed in WebPublish for
any accessibility tip or highlight.
Sample code: <div class=”accessibility-tip”>
Website Accessibility
Currently, ITServices is carrying out an accessibility audit of all websites under the queensu.ca domain to
ensure compliance with Ontario Regulation 191/11, section 14. ITServices distributed communications
and reports to website owners and they are directed to the Accessibility Hub Coordinator and ITServices
for questions and direction on how to achieve Level A/AA accessibility on noncompliant websites.
ITServices is also offering workshops on the use of Site Improve.
Number of Inquiries to ITServices and
Accessibility Hub for the website audits (Site
Improve)
 January 2014: 2
 February 2014: 30
Number of attendees per workshop
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76 attendees spread over 6 workshops
offered in February and early March.
Service Requests
Highlights
Since December 4, 2013 the Accessibility Hub Coordinator has responded to 40 (90% increase) specific
requests ranging from the simple to very complex. Including; snow removal, built environment, accessible
signage, website and document accessibility, workplace accommodations, and accessible vehicle rental.
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Success Examples
The following is a small snapshot of actual requests made to the Accessibility Hub Coordinator which
were resolved.
1. Issue: Two Queen’s departments contacted me needing Sign Language Interpreters (ASL) for
different events but none were available for event dates through the Queen’s Strategic
Procurement - Preferred Vendor (ASL) or the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS).
Solution: The Coordinator contacted the Ontario Association of Sign Language and the City of
Kingston for a list of Kingston independent sign language interpreters (ASL). Through that list,
both departments were able to secure interpreters for their respective events;
2. Issue: The School of Medicine required a 300 page paper document in an accessible, digital form
(PDF) to post of their website.
Solution: The Accessibility Hub Coordinator arranged for the Sr. Assistant to the Coordinator of
the Adaptive Technology Centre to scan, OCR, edit, and tag the PDF file for accessibility. This
process took 5 hours to complete.
3. Issue: The Coordinator was approached by the Counselling Service of HCDS regarding
document accessibility. They developed a 100 workbook for students “Your Best You: Improving
Your Mood” and wondered if the Word file was accessible or not.
Solution: Upon checking, the Word document contained hundreds of accessibility errors (no
alternative text, no headings, improper tables, text boxes etc.) Given the nature of this workbook
it was easier for the Coordinator to create a new accessible document from scratch. This process
took 27 hours to complete. Your Best You: Improving Your Mood document accessible Word file.
Website
Please note: stats are from December 5, 2013 to March 7, 2014.
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2997 Visitors (1288% increase), viewing 7099 pages (920% increase)
Social Media
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Accessibility Hub on Twitter @AccessHubQU – 1048 Tweets, 206 followers.
YouTube video - Melissa Vassallo on disability - Queen's Accessibility Hub - 338 views
Moving Forward
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The ATC continues to monitor what would be entailed in expanding its mandate to services for all
persons with disabilities (PWD) not just students with disabilities. The ATC continues to provide
significant guidance and expertise for workplace accommodations, alternate formats, and facility
tours to other libraries interested in serving PWD. Service requests from the Queen’s community
such as Issue 2 and 3 above need to be reviewed and discussed as significant staff resources
may be required if requests increase.
In order to increase more effective Accessibility Education, Training, and Awareness
opportunities, perhaps it is feasible and more effective to have a live, online Moodle course on
accessible documents and websites. The Coordinator will explore.
During 2013, ITServices has out-sourced the captioning of 73 videos. So far in 2014, 42 videos
have been out-sourced for captioning signally an increase in this service. For standard
turnaround (up to 4 business days) ITServices charges a flat $15 service fee plus $3.00/minute of
video. Assuming on average 5 minute long video:
o For all 2013: ($15 + ($3 * 5))* 73 = $2190
o For first quarter 2014: ($15 + ($3 * 5))* 42 = $1260
As 2014 unfolds, captioning requests should increase due to AODA legislation. Is it more cost
effective to outsource or closed caption in-house? Is it more practical to add captioning duties to
Queen’s staff, perhaps ITServices and keep this money in Queen’s?
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