Resources

Canadian resources for accessible rights

BC Human Rights Code

Physical and mental disabilities are protected under the BC Human Rights Code. Persons with physical or mental disabilities may not be discriminated against in the areas of:

• publications
• accommodation, service, and facility
• purchase of property
• tenancy premises
• employment advertisements
• wages
• employment
• unions and associations

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

National legislation exists that protects persons with mental and/or physical disabilities.

Land Acknowledgement

Thompson Rivers University campuses are on the traditional lands of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Secwepmulc) (Kamloops campus) and the T’exelc (Clacll) (Williams Lake campus) within Secwépemc’ulucw, (Secwepmic ulu) the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. Our region also extends into the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Tŝilhqot’in, Dakelh, and Syilx peoples.

Mandate

“Deconstruct ableism to foster a learning, working, and interacting environment that is safe and barrier-free at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).”

Membership

The committee will have a maximum of 15 members.

As required by the Accessible British Columbia Act, committee members must be selected in accordance with the following values:

• Learn, work, or interact at or with TRU including student, faculty, staff, and community representation;
• At least 50 per cent individuals who experience barriers to accessibility due to ableism;
• Individuals who support or are from TRU organizations that support individuals who experience barriers;
• Must have Indigenous representation;
• Should reflect the diversity of persons in British Columbia.

The committee will have two Co-chairs, of which one will be named via appointment by TRU Executive, and one will be selected from and appointed by the Accessibility Committee through a democratic process. Committee Co-chairs will each hold a one-year term which may be renewed for up to two additional terms. The committee will include an administrative resource person.

Appointment Procedures

An open call for at-large members will be circulated to the TRU community inviting faculty, staff, and community to submit an online expression of interest that includes an opportunity to share relevant academic, professional, community, and/or lived experiences to fill any remaining seats on the committee. A formal invitation to be a member of the committee will be sent to Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc.

Student representatives will be appointed through the TRUSU committee process.

The committee will select nominees with an aim to meet the four required compositional diversity goals outlined above. Executive may elect to appoint members directly to the committee if required to meet the compositional diversity goals required by the Accessible British Columbia Act.

Meeting Frequency

Meetings will be scheduled a minimum of nine times per year. Special meetings may be called by the Chair at any time upon seven (7) calendar days’ notice.

Meetings may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid (e.g., over Zoom or Teams). The Co-chairs will develop the agenda for the meeting in consultation with committee members. Requests from members to place an item on the agenda may be submitted to the Co-chairs, ideally at least one week ahead of the meeting. Meeting minutes will be prepared with support from the administrative resource person, circulated to the committee members via email, and approved at a subsequent meeting. Quorum shall be 50% of committee members. If required for quorum, any member who is not in attendance at the meeting can vote by electronic communications. If quorum is not achieved, proposed motions and actions will be tabled at a subsequent meeting.

Guests

Subject-matter experts may be invited to the Committee meetings as guests, with the permission of the co-chairs.

Decision Making

The Committee will operate on a consensus model. If consensus cannot be reached, decisions will be made by a majority vote at a meeting where a minimum of 50%+1 voting members have lived experiences of disability.

Revision of the Terms of Reference

These Terms of Reference will be reviewed at the conclusion of the inaugural year of operation and at least once every 3 years. The function of the Committee should be adapted to reflect evolving needs and circumstances.