In recognition of National AccessAbility Week, NAIT will be hosting a gathering of community and grassroots organizations, educators, and industry partners to connect, discuss, and understand barriers to accessibility and inclusion.
Now in it’s second year after a successful 2023 event, AccessAbility Symposium is free to attend and open to all, including post-secondary instructors, industry staff, students, associations, advocates, community leaders, or anyone looking to broaden their knowledge on accessibility.
Objective:
Featuring keynote presentations, guest speakers and artists, we are providing the physical and virtual space to allow attendees the opportunity to:
Understand and discuss barriers to accessibility and inclusion
Explore best practices for creating inclusive workplaces
Enhance inclusion, accessibility and diversity in polytechnic and STEM education
Delivery mode:
This event is being offered in two ways: in-person at the Productivity and Innovation Centre (PIC) at NAIT or livestreamed to a virtual location.
Speakers and artists
Bean Gill
IndigeSTEAM
Sanah Jowhari
Post-Secondary Accessibility and Disability Resource Association of Alberta (PADRA)
Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts
Schedule
Wednesday, May 29 - Open House
If you would like the opportunity to visit the building in advance, get familiar with the physical space, or plan your travel path we will be hosting an Open House the day before the event officially begins. All event spaces will be made available from 10am - 3pm on Wednesday, May 29. This will be held drop-in style, and NAIT staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Thursday, May 30 - Event day
Detailed agenda included above
Ticketing
Attendance is free in order to make this event as inclusive as possible. Please register for the attendance that best suits you (in-person or online).
In-person attendee information
Please join us in-person in the Conference Hall and Atrium at the Productivity and Innovation Centre.
Building address and transportation:
There is an LRT stop at Main Campus, with an approx. 10min walk from the station to PIC
Onsite parking is available. The two closest locations to the PIC building are lots L and M and guests are responsible for the daily parking fee
More information on parking and campus access can be found online
PIC has entrances via the East doors (off Princess Elizabeth Ave), North doors (off 118 Ave), and West doors (closest from L parking lot)
Onsite supports available:
Sign Language Interpretation (ASL)
Live captioning
Three multi-use quiet/sensory space available on the second floor. These rooms will also have the livestream available so you won’t miss any of the content
Transcript downloads (for select sessions)
Free public Wi-Fi (guests must accept the terms and conditions of use)
Smart WayTags
Hospitality
We will be providing complimentary food and beverages across the day
You will be given the opportunity to outline any dietary requirements during registration
Items will be served buffet style, with staff available to assist where required
Water stations, tea, and coffee will be available during all breaks
You are welcome to bring your own refillable beverage containers
Hotel information:
If you require hotel accommodations, you may use NAIT's discount code at the Matrix Hotel
Book directly online here
Virtual attendee information
Virtual participation will be through zoom, and attendees will receive a meeting link as part of the information package emailed closer to the event date.
Online supports available:
Live video stream of in-person activities (except lunch and breaks)
Sign Language Interpretation (ASL)
Live captioning
Q&A function with virtual moderator
The Conference Hall will be set up for you to see and hear in-person speakers
Attendee Information Package
An Attendee Information Package will be emailed to all registered guests approximately one week before the event. The package will include the confirmed schedule, location and access, maps, supports available, and the link for virtual attendance.
Registration process
Please register to confirm if you will be attending in-person or online. During registration you will be asked for:
Your full name
Email address
Current employer/post-secondary institution (if applicable)
If there are any other accessibility support requests that would enable you to full participate in the event (if applicable)
Dietary requirements (for in-person attendees)
Other demographic details that we will use for event reporting
Consent release for photos taken at the event
Additional support and questions
If you need more information or assistance during the registration process, please contact us at accessibility@nait.ca, or (780) 378-6135
Event partners and sponsors
This project is funded by the Government of Canada's Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability Component