Summary of Progress and Plans

We are pleased with our accessibility improvements over the past year and will continue to build on this progress over the next year.

Physical Facilities:

Facility accessibility improvements are a high priority at Fanshawe College. In 2003 the College retained the Ontario March of Dimes Barrier-Free Design Consultation Services to conduct an accessibility audit of all facilities owned or leased by the College. For the purpose of this audit, CAN/CSA B651-01 Barrier-Free Design and the Ontario Building Code 1997 were used as standards against which all facilities were assessed. Overall, the audit concluded that our facilities achieve a relatively high degree of compliance with these standards for barrier-free access and few high priority barriers were identified.

Over the past year College facilities have been expanded by an additional 26,200 square feet (2435 sm) of space, with the completion of Merlin House Residence. In addition, approximately 46,800 square feet (4348 sm) of existing space was renovated during the past year. In all 4% of the College's space has been improved since September 2008. Over the past eight years, the majority of the College's facilities have been improved. Each of these new or upgraded facilities were designed to meet CSA-B651-04 Accessible Design for the Built Environment standards.

Accessibility Improvements Completed - September 2008 to August 2009:

• The new Merlin House residence opened in September 2009 to house 428 students. This offers six accessible units all with automatic door operators to the suite and bedroom. One unit's washroom has an adjustable sink, another has proximity card reader access and all have roll-in showers with benches and accessible kitchenettes. All the student activity spaces in the residence are accessible.
• New accessible curb cuts and sidewalk access were installed for Merlin Residence.
• The College continued to add exterior seating areas throughout the campus with the placement of benches and cafeteria tables. Universally this has enhanced all areas so students of varying abilities can enjoy the College's green spaces.
• New state of the art Digital Information Signage at the T Building Transit Terminal providing students, staff and visitors current information on the location and wait-times of the bus they are waiting for.
• Seven new classrooms and two new combination classroom/computer labs were created and these learning spaces are all accessible.
• The AccessAbility Computer Lab in Room F2015 was renovated and expanded.
• The College continues to make ergonomic seating available in various classrooms. There are currently approximately 120 ergonomic chairs for use particularly by students with medical and chronic pain issues throughout the various classrooms.
• Stage 2 Fire Alarm System Upgrades were installed equipped with strobes, a public address system and 'do not enter' signage.
• New flooring installed throughout the J Fitness Centre provides better absorption for impact during workouts, creating less stress on the body.
• Sound attenuating batons were installed in the J2015 Gymnasium to improve acoustics for exams, graduation and orientation programs.
• The College continues to expand wireless internet areas. Currently 30% of the student spaces (lounges, cafeterias, meeting areas) are wireless.
• Reprographics' office spaces were renovated improving staff circulation, HVAC controls and customer service spaces.
• Antiquated door closers on various classrooms continue to be replaced with new closers with accessibility (speed) settings or automatic operators as feasible.
• Renovations to the Faculty of Health Sciences, Human Services and Nursing offices in D3001 & D3018 were designed to CSA‑B651‑04 standards.
• We continue to replace inaccessible classroom furniture with new freestanding desks and chairs and to install in each computer lab one or two adjustable computer tables.
• The College continues to maintain the contrasting (painted) leading edges of stairs and replace narrow double doors with accessible doors as renovations take place or as needs in high traffic areas are identified.
• We continue with upgrades to way-finding signage.
• We continue to make lighting upgrades in dim corridors, classrooms and office areas. This year improvements included classrooms and offices areas in D and G Buildings.

• At the Woodstock and Simcoe Campuses we made renovations to the Computer Labs and also increased student seating and provided adjustable work stations in these labs.

To obtain a copy of the Accessibility Plan in CD format, please email accessibility@fanshawec.ca or contact Counselling and Student Life at (519) 452-4282.