EDI Statement
Inclusivity and Accessibility
For this gathering, we are dedicated to creating a collaborative, inclusive environment where participants, speakers, attendees, and organizers are empowered to participate fully in all aspects of the event.
We expect all who attend and participate to engage with other participants and speakers respectfully. Discriminatory or oppressive language, imagery, and/or behaviours will not be tolerated and any participants engaging in these behaviours will be removed from sessions and/or the online platform by organizers.
If at any time during the event you feel like your inclusivity expectations are not being met, please email: cae@niagaracollege.ca with “Coaching in Education Event Conduct” in the Subject line.
Adapted From OLA Code of Conduct Policy
Land Acknowledgements
The event will open with a Land Acknowledgement on both days. A Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of this land and affirms the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. These statements are an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those upon whose territory you reside or are visiting, a way of honoring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial and an opportunity to confront the historical and contemporary impacts of colonial practices in Canada. As you listen to the Land Acknowledgment, we encourage you to reflect on the role you can play in Truth & Reconciliation.
“It is important to understand the longstanding history that has brought you to reside on the land, and to seek to understand your place within that history. Land acknowledgements do not exist in a past tense, or historical context: colonialism is a current ongoing process, and we need to build our mindfulness of our present participation.” Northwestern University
For more information on acknowledging territory, visit this Native Land webpage or watch this video reflection by Stephen Paquette, Chair of the Indigenous Education Council (Sheridan College).
Accessibility
All sessions will be delivered in Zoom, which has a number of accessibility features, such as:
- Automatic closed captioning
- Ability to support keyboard shortcuts
- Screen reader support
- “Pinning” speakers for a custom view
- Changing backgrounds for reasons of privacy or fun
- Renaming function to indicate pronouns
- Customizing skin tones for reactions within Zoom
For full accessibility options on Zoom, please visit zoom.us/accessibility. Visit this Inclusive Zoom Tools page for specific instructions on updating pronouns and customizing reaction skin tones. If you would benefit from live captioning, it will be enabled in every session.
Accommodations
We aim to host accessible events that enable all individuals to participate fully in our learning opportunities. When you register for the event, you will have the opportunity to identify any accessibility needs. If you have questions about event accessibility, please write to cae@niagaracollege.ca. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests and provide reasonable accommodations for the event.
Inclusive Language and Pronouns
All speakers and attendees are encouraged to use inclusive language that does not presume names, pronouns, or gender coding. If you’d like to add and share your pronouns via your Zoom profile, please follow the instructions below:
If you are using the desktop version of Zoom, read “adding and sharing your pronouns” to learn how to add pronouns to your zoom profile.
If using Zoom via a browser, you can add your pronouns to your screen name in a meeting:
- Click on your name in a meeting and select “MORE”
- Select rename
- Add your pronouns in parentheses e.g. (She/Her) beside your name and select OK