The Centre for Undergraduate Research Learning at Huron values all students.
We are a program that, first and foremost, exists to serve students and foster their academic growth.
We acknowledge that educational programs can reinforce the barriers faced by marginalized communities. In addition to upholding Huron’s institutional commitment to meeting the standards of AODA, CURL is committed to identifying and dismantling barriers within our specific programming. We are working to build a centre that is logistically, financially, and academically accessible to disabled students and all whose access needs fall outside of “the norm.”
Our core values, accessibility standards, and recommendations for creating accessible CURL projects can be found below.
Core Values
Accessibility, then accomodation
Individual accommodations are a necessary part of creating an inclusive and equitable culture. However, for many students, obtaining accommodations throughout their educational careers has felt vulnerable, exhausting, and demoralizing. If we do the work to develop high standards of accessibility at the outset, we reduce the need for accommodations, and we thereby enable students to divert more of their valuable time and energy towards learning and less towards logistics and disclosure.
Accessibility should have no prerequisites
Not all “atypical” access needs stem from a disability, and not all disabilities are diagnosed. Still, all access needs deserve to be met. By fostering a culture of inclusion and accommodation for all, we can succeed in reaching more students—including those who may not identify with disability, who cannot access diagnosis, or who do not wish to be diagnosed.
Accessibility is dynamic
People, the barriers they face, and the language they use to describe those barriers are dynamic and shifting. We commit to updating our policies, procedures, and communications regularly, particularly with input from student advocates at Huron and the greater disability community.
Barriers, not deficits
By identifying and dismantling institutional barriers, we challenge the notion that non-normative access needs are personal deficits and create solutions to the inequality that renews that notion.
Diversity is a necessity
The perspectives of and research by people with varying access needs are not only valid—they are essential to creating an inclusive and knowledgeable academic culture.
Documents and Policies
CURL Accessibility Guidelines
A list of ways in which we are working to make CURL programming accessible.
Creating Accessible Content
A guide for students and faculty looking to develop accessible talks, posters, and social media.
Huron’s Accessibility Standards – Customer Service Policy
Huron’s Accessibility Standards – Statement and Policy
Contact
If you have any questions about accessibility at CURL, or if you would like to make accommodation requests in advance of an event or award application, please contact Sherri Liska (she/her), CURL’s Access and Media Coordinator, at sliska@uwo.ca.
Identifying information about students who make access inquiries will not be shared with the CURL team without consent. Inquiring about access needs will not affect your award eligibility.