45 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
45 lines
3.6 KiB
Markdown
---
|
||
title: Accessibility Supports Available to Participants
|
||
collection: Cohort 6
|
||
path: Cohort 6/Accessibility Supports Available to Participants
|
||
parentDocument: null
|
||
outlineId: fe4225c8-d8d2-48ed-873e-0eca72b611b6
|
||
createdBy: Jennie R.F.
|
||
---
|
||
We build accessibility into every part of how we work. You don't need to justify why you need support, and you don't need to disclose a diagnosis or condition. If something would help you participate more fully, ask us about it.
|
||
|
||
This page describes what's available and how to access it.
|
||
|
||
## What's available to everyone
|
||
|
||
These supports are built into the program by default. You don't need to request them.
|
||
|
||
* Captions are available for all synchronous sessions through Slack's built-in captioning and your operating system's live caption features (available on both Mac and Windows). If auto-generated captions don't meet your needs, let us know and we can arrange additional captioning support. Every session is also recorded and captioned after the fact, so you can revisit material on your own schedule with subtitles if you miss something or need more time with it.
|
||
* Presentations are "dark mode" by default.
|
||
* All core program content is available asynchronously. Workshop materials, facilitator guides, and templates are accessible through our shared wiki throughout the program and after it ends.
|
||
* The program is remote-first. Weekly workshops and mentorship sessions happen online. You can participate from wherever works for you.
|
||
* Mental health support is available to all participants throughout the program. If you need it, reach out to your Peer Support team or the program coordinators.
|
||
|
||
## What you can request
|
||
|
||
Some supports are available on a per-participant basis. These are funded and budgeted for, so requesting them is not a burden on the program. Unfortunately, some are region-specific due to our funding constraints at the moment, but we are working on improving this for the future.
|
||
|
||
### Region-specific supports
|
||
|
||
* Childcare subsidies are available for **Toronto-based participants** who need coverage during session times or in-person events.
|
||
* Technology and internet assistance is available for **Ontario residents** if your current setup creates a barrier to participation. This could mean help with internet costs, hardware access, or software needs. All required software licenses are provided free regardless.
|
||
* Travel stipends are available to **Ontario residents** for in-person events (the Kickoff and Wrap-up gatherings in Ontario). These are meant to reduce the cost barrier of attending, especially for participants outside the GTA.
|
||
|
||
### Other supports
|
||
|
||
Additional accessibility supports are available for needs not covered above. This is a flexible category. Examples might include ASL interpretation, screen reader-compatible materials, adjusted scheduling, or other accommodations specific to your situation. If you're not sure whether something falls into this category, ask anyway.
|
||
|
||
## The $5,000 studio bursary
|
||
|
||
Every participating studio receives a $5,000 bursary. This isn't framed as an accessibility support in the traditional sense, but it exists because we know that building a cooperative studio while navigating financial precarity is hard. The bursary is meant to give your team room to focus on the program without that pressure compounding.
|
||
|
||
## How to ask
|
||
|
||
Talk to your Peer Support team, or contact the program coordinators directly (eileen or Jennie).
|
||
|
||
We'd rather hear from you early than find out after the fact that something wasn't working. Access needs can also change over the course of the program – this is expected! Let us know as things come up.
|