Accessible Admissions - Fostering Equitable, Accessible, and Inclusive Admissions Through Disability Justice - Prepared Report for BCCAT

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys

Report prepared for BCCAT by researchers examining how post-secondary admissions can be made equitable, accessible, and inclusive through disability justice. It contextualizes colonial and institutional barriers that have historically prevented many Indigenous learners from accessing education, then reviews relevant legislation, synthesizes literature on accessible admissions practices, and presents a methodology, analysis, and results focused on web and document accessibility, clear policies, multiple pathways and data points, and support mechanisms. Recommendations include short-term, long-term, and transformative actions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Review of Legislation

LITERATURE REVIEW: WHAT MAKES POST-SECONDARY ADMISSIONS ACCESSIBLE?

Use of Accessible Design

Provide Clear Policies, Processes, and Definitions

Use Multiple Means to Assess Applicants

Offer Supports

METHODOLOGY

ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

Accessible Design: Website, Portal, and Document Accessibility

Locating Information: Clear Policies, Processes, and Definitions

Multiple Pathways/Data Points

Accessing Supports

RECOMMENDATIONS

Short-Term Recommendations

Long-Term Recommendations

Transformative Recommendations

LIMITATIONS AND FURTHER RESEARCH

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES

APPENDIX A: Glossary of Key Terms and Principles

APPENDIX B: List of Post-Secondary Institutions Analyzed

Accessible Admissions Fostering Equitable, Accessible, and Inclusive Admissions Through Disability Justice Prepared for BCCAT by Dr. Jennifer Hardwick and Dr. Fiona Whittington-Walsh (Research Assistants: Zafreen Jaffer and Katelyn Watson) Accessible Admissions Fostering Equitable, Accessible, and Inclusive Admissions Through Disability Justice Prepared for BCCAT by Dr. Jennifer Hardwick and Dr. Fiona Whittington-Walsh (Research Assistants: Zafreen Jaffer and Katelyn Watson) © BCCAT November 2023 Acknowledgements This report is dedicated to Arley McNeney, a talented writer, dedicated teacher, kind friend, and fierce advocate for inclusion and disability justice. This report was completed on the unceded, traditional, and ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt, Kwantlen and Kwikwetlem nations. Territorial acknowledgements are an important reminder of the protocols that govern these territories, of our responsibilities, and of the necessity of acting in right relationship with both peoples and lands. We hope this report brings us closer to these things. It is also important for us to acknowledge the colonial context that post-secondary institutions on the territories we currently call Canada have historically operated within. This is particularly relevant to this report, which examines institutional structures (admissions) that have historically prevented many Indigenous learners from receiving post-secondary education. We hope this report respectfully supports and upholds both Indigenous learners and Indigenous ways of knowing, and that it contributes to just, equitable, and inclusive education systems. To view this report online, scan here- - > BC COUNCIL ON ADMISSIONS & TRANSFER info@bccat.ca | bccat.ca | [bctransferguide.ca](bctransferguide.ca) TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE........................................................................................................................................................ 1 Review of Legislation.................................................................................................................................................................. 3 LITERATURE REVIEW: WHAT MAKES POST-SECONDARY ADMISSIONS ACCESSIBLE?................................................ 5 Use of Accessible Design .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Provide Clear Policies, Processes, and Definitions ............................................................................................................ 6 Use Multiple Means to Assess Applicants ........................................................................................................................... 7 Offer Supports.............................................................................................................................................................................. 7 METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 ANALYSIS AND RESULTS................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Accessible Design: Website, Portal, and Document Accessibility .............................................................................. 10 Locating Information: Clear Policies, Processes, and Definitions ................................................................................ 11 Multiple Pathways/Data Points ........................................

FAQs

What is the report’s main focus regarding disability justice and admissions?

It examines institutional admissions structures and how they can be redesigned to be equitable, accessible, and inclusive through disability justice.

Which accessibility elements does the analysis address?

The analysis covers accessible design for websites, portals, and documents, locating information through clear policies and definitions, multiple pathways and data points, and access to supports.

What types of recommendations does the report provide?

It provides short-term, long-term, and transformative recommendations to improve accessible admissions systems.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys