Accessibility champions are individuals across the department who have stepped up to champion accessibility by educating and encouraging their teams to adopt processes that enhance accessibility. They recently completed a 6 week accessibility training.
Accessibility Champions play a crucial role in fostering a more inclusive and accessible environment.
Their responsibilities will include the following:
Attending Digital Accessibility Champions and Content Accessibility Champions meetings once a month, if available, where they will share insights, discuss ongoing projects, and invite guest speakers. These meetings serve as a platform for continuous learning and upskilling.
Educating and encouraging their teams to adopt processes that improve accessibility. They could, for example, share best practices on how to constantly bring accessibility into our work.
Committing for one year until March 31, 2025.
Meet MarComms's Accessibility Champions & find out what accessibility mean to them
Audience Research Team (1)
Andy Baker, Team Lead Digital Reporting and Insights - "It's a priority for myself and Audience Research because there's no inherent accessibility issue in data - just in the tools we use to retrieve it!"
Creative Brand Team (1)
Armida Ceres Ching, Art Director - "Accessibility is a mindset and the practice of creating spaces for everyone in the best way possible."
Marketing Team (1)
Karim Tubbeh, Manager, Brand & Community - "Through the Accessibility Champion program, one of the very first things I learned was that accessibility is really all about empathy. It's understanding people and it's understanding the barriers that they face. Accessibility is all about designing inclusive solutions that allow for people's differences in a way for them to fully experience the offerings. As Canada's public broadcaster, it really is important work and really something we should all be focused on."
People Operations and Performance Team (2)
Jennifer Haskett, Director, Operations - "Accessibility, to me, means removing barriers from welcoming more people into a shared space."
Shannon Latham, Senior Media Librarian, Operations Team - "Accessibility is good design, and good design is universal design -- which is for everyone."
Public Relations, Partnerships & Events Team (2)
Frances Bedford, Senior Communications Officer, Public Relations & Events - "To me, improving accessibility is an opportunity to make CBC an even stronger brand that new audiences want to engage with. It also makes our content a desirable option for Canadians when they want news, information and entertainment. Learning about the different ways people access CBC platforms, and how technology can help bridge the gaps in those interactions, highlights for me the importance of empathy and perspective when creating meaningful content and lasting relationships with Canadians."
Shona Wolpert, Senior Communications Officer, Events
Scheduling and Content Planning Team (2)
Kelly Bellusci, Manager, Scheduling and Content Planning, Scheduling - "As a MarComms Accessibility Champion, I advocate for inclusive policies, remove physical and digital barriers, and foster a culture of respect and understanding to create an environment where diversity is celebrated and valued. It involves actively listening to individuals' needs and making necessary adjustments to support and empower everyone to contribute their best."
Others (1)
Amy Sylla, EDI Advisor - "Accessibility is often overlooked within Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). That’s why we’ve named our strategy IDEA—Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility—to emphasize the importance of constantly coming up with new ideas to enhance the experiences of people with disabilities and make them more accessible and enjoyable. This mission is very dear to my heart because of my niece who has cerebral palsy. I am committed to helping create a future where she, and others with disabilities, are set up for success and can thrive in the workplace. Let's continue to work together to make our spaces more inclusive and accessible for everyone, honoring, valuing and respecting the validity and importance of every individual's experience."
The Accessibility Champions will meet two times per year to discuss and strategize on accessibility updates, projects, progress, challenges and ensure that the department's initiatives remains aligned with its values and aspirations. These meetings serve as a platform for collaboration, reflection, and continuous improvement in fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment.