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Our Inclusion Journey


We are on an Inclusion Journey, building a culture of inclusion and accessibility, so that people with diverse abilities and identities can feel they belong, and participate meaningfully as part of the whole, while retaining their authenticity, uniqueness and autonomy. 

People are encouraged to bring their whole selves to the Centre, as everyone has an equal right to be here and be heard. We aim to foster inclusion by respectful interpersonal relationships, equitable and accessible practices that support a diverse group at all levels and in all functions. 

We embed inclusion and accessibility in everything we do, by removing attitudinal, information, communication, physical and systemic barriers for all. Below are some of the steps we have taken to increase inclusion and accessibility.

2012 

  • Abilities Centre established as a state-of-the-art accessible sport and recreation facility for people with and without disabilities. 

2013 

  • Accessibility Advisory Committee established. 

2014 

  • Staff training facilitated by Accessibility Advisory Committee.

2015 

  • Accommodation and inclusion of people with sight and hearing disabilities improved.

2016 

  • Durham Region Access Forum hosted by Abilities Centre.

2017 

  • Sexual orientation added to staff orientation training. 

2018

  • Six new basketball nets, which can be raised and lowered from the ceiling, installed in the fieldhouse, 2 on each court. 
  • New accessible bottle filling station installed in the South hallway 
  • Inclusion Workshop and inclusion Definition developed 
  • Language policy updated.

2019 

  • Emergency alarms and push-to-lock buttons in 6 family washrooms, and Board room door accessible operator and buttons added. 
  • Ontario Parasport Games hosted at Abilities Centre.
  • Training on diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias delivered to all staff by Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI).
  • Employee Diversity Meter Survey developed with Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI); results shared with all staff and action steps implemented. 
  • National Disability Survey launched in partnership with Canadian Disability Participation Project (CDPP) in response to COVID19.

 

2020 

  • Accessibility guidelines for communications, documents and social media developed.
  • Diversity &Inclusion focus groups facilitated for all staff by Stephen Linton.
  • Mixed Ability Sport Inclusion launched, with co-designed and co-facilitated Mixed Ability Sport coaching clinics and workshops, including a 2SLGBTQ+ Education session.
  • Inclusion training for all staff delivered prior to re-opening. 

 

2021 

  • Portable mechanical lift and harness acquired to assist members/clients. 
  • Training videos for virtual programs launched.
  • IDEA strategy developed, endorsed by Board and Senior Leadership Team, and introduced to all staff.
  • Employee Resource Group, IDEA Ambassadors, established, with monthly meetings on topics such as mental health, 2SLGBTQ+ and indigenous culture. 
  • IDEA training delivered to Board of Directors.
  • Accessibility Guidelines for making Accessible Documents created; Training delivered to all staff. 
  • Inclusion foundational concepts, definitions of diversity, inclusion, intersectionality, equity and accessibility updated. 
  • Leading Equitable and Accessible Delivery (LEAD) revised using plain language
  • Demographic survey developed; survey implementation training delivered to all staff.
  • Accessibility Advisory Committee renamed IDEA Council, Terms of Reference updated to incorporate inclusion, diversity and equity. 12 new Council members with diverse representation recruited for the 2021- 2023 term.



Partnerships, Memberships and Community participation include: 

  • Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)
  • Cross-Regional Newcomer Accessibility Council
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Community of Practice
If you have any questions or feedback on our Inclusion Journey, please contact us at 905-665-8500 and ask to speak with Yin or services@abilitiescentre.org
 

Read more on our Mission and Vision

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