Carleton University’s decision to pause the Attendant Services Program (ASP) this term goes against the school’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
By ignoring the university’s population of disabled students in the face of the pandemic, Carleton sets the example that inclusivity is conditional.
Carleton University has been previously recognized as a leader in accessibility in Canada, notably for its campus tunnels and operation of the Canadian Accessibility Network. The government of Ontario celebrates Carleton as having “the most accessible campus in Canada” in their strategic mandate agreement with the university.
However, this fall Carleton University tarnished its reputation by cancelling the ASP program, which matches students with disabilities to attendants who can aid them in completing daily tasks and attending classes.
Carleton stated in an email that the ASP was cancelled because it is a health and safety concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The addition of one extra staff member to a student’s support staff is a minimal concern when compared to the other dozens of students attending lectures.
By pausing the ASP, Carleton decided a specific portion of the population cannot return to school. It is even more unfortunate that the population Carleton has excluded is already one that is consistently marginalized by society.
The lack of consultation with ASP clients further marginalizes and distances students from power over their own accommodations.
Disabled communities heralded the pandemic as a reckoning for accessibility—those who were told they could not work from home or receive similar accommodations now suddenly could. Carleton has made progress in establishing that accessibility is important over the course of the pandemic through providing online classes. Ignoring the needs of disabled students as the pandemic eases sets Carleton’s progress back.
By excluding disabled students from the return to in-person classes, Carleton has made it clear that accessibility is not a priority but rather something to do when it is easy and improves the school’s image.
Carleton has made a commitment to people with disabilities who rely on the ASP. To cut short this program is to cut short Carleton’s long-standing commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.
Featured image from file.
