A new accessibility initiative at the university was the focus of conversation during the most recent accessibility café.

Queen’s Campus Planning and Development (CPD) partnered with the Social Issues Commission of the Alma Mater Society (AMS) to explore the development of facility accessibility design standards (FADS) for Queen’s, a project which they have coined “QFADS”. Adopted and adapted by several municipalities and universities across the province, the facility design standards aim to enhance accessibility beyond the minimal requirements of the Ontario Building Code.

“With the university committed to supporting people living with disabilities, we see QFADS as an important and vital project,” says Barry Kaplan, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA) Project Manager, CPD. “Developing these standards will help ensure that the planning for any new buildings or significant renovations will reflect our unique built environment and meet the needs of Queen’s students, staff and faculty members.”

Over the past several months, the Built Environment Working Group, in consultation with Physical Plant Services, has reviewed a number of facility accessibility design standards developed by other institutions. The accessibility café gave staff, faculty members and students the opportunity to learn more about BEWG’s progress to date and offer their ideas and thoughts about the QFADS process and content.

Developing QFADS fits with the other accessibility work the university is doing, especially the accessibility audit. CPD is currently evaluating Queen’s buildings for compliance with the Ontario Building Code, AODA and several other provincial and municipal design standards and codes including the Canadian Standards Association. CPD will use the data gathered during the accessibility audit as it plans future repairs and upgrades.

“The QFADS project could not have come to fruition at a better time,” says Alex Chung, Social Issues Commissioner, Alma Mater Society. “It will act as a guideline to determine how and what changes should be made in order to accommodate the functional needs of the members of our campus community.”

With the feedback from the accessibility café, Campus Planning and Development with work with consultant Bob Topping of DesignAble Environments on developing the final QFADS report, which will go to the Built Environment Working Group for discussion and endorsement in the coming months.

If you have any questions about the project or would like more information, contact Barry Kaplan at (613) 533-6001 or by email.