Currently, there are no AODA education standards. However, two AODA standards development committees have drafted recommendations of guidelines that AODA education standards should include. One committee has recommended guidelines for the kindergarten to grade twelve (K-12) education system. In contrast, the other committee has recommended guidelines for the university and college education system. In this article, we outline the Postsecondary Committee’s recommended accessibility training for college and university protective services staff and emergency management services staff.
The committee’s mandate from the Ontario government requires recommendations focused on publicly-funded colleges and universities. However, students and educators with disabilities also face barriers in other education settings, including:
- Privately-funded colleges and universities
- Transitional job training programs
Therefore, all these settings should comply with the forthcoming postsecondary education standards.
Accessibility Training for College and University Protective services Staff and emergency management services staff
In addition to accessibility training recommended for all college and university employees, the Committee recommends specific training for staff in protective services, such as staff who provide on-campus security for:
- People
- Buildings
- Assets
Moreover, protective services staff also:
- Assist during emergencies, including medical emergencies
- Educate the public about safety
For example, protective services staff include:
- Staff of campus safety offices
- Community peace officers
- Campus safety members, such as:
- Management
- Special constables
- Security guards
In addition, the Committee recommends accessibility training for emergency management services staff.
Protective services staff and emergency management services staff should receive training on:
- Safety for students with disabilities
- Mental health awareness and de-escalation
Finally, this training must be anti-oppressive and intersectional. For example, training should alert protective services staff and emergency management services staff that many people with disabilities also have other intersecting identities protected from discrimination under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Protective services staff and emergency management services staff must renew this training every three (3) years.