Professional Education for Accessibility Competence (PEAC)

Empower your team with the tools and foundational knowledge necessary to foster a truly inclusive workplace. Participants will delve into the many models of disability, gain a broad understanding of accessibility, and develop practical skills to enhance inclusivity in their professional settings. By the conclusion of this competency, you will be ready to drive meaningful change, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable workplace.

This competency delves into the legislative frameworks, policies, and regulations that work to shape accessibility practices across the country. Specifically, participants will gain a broad knowledge of Canadian accessibility laws and human rights codes, their implications, and how to implement them effectively within their own workplaces.

Inclusive and universal design is at the heart of creating work environments, products, and experiences that can be used and accessed by people of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds. This module delves into the principles and practices of inclusive and universal design, equipping participants with the foundational knowledge and skills to begin looking at spaces, products, and services through a critical lens to ensure they are inherently accessible and user-friendly for all.

This competency is designed to empower managers, planners, and decision-makers with the tools and insights needed to weave accessibility into the fabric of strategic planning. Participants will learn to integrate accessibility considerations into strategic planning processes, ensuring that initiatives are inclusive from the outset. 

This competency aims to provide human resources professionals, managers, and team leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to create and maintain an accessible and supportive work environment for all employees, including those with disabilities.

Covering the principles of accessible course design, inclusive teaching/training practices, developing accessible learning materials, and fostering an inclusive learning environment, this competency will prepare education and training professionals to meet the diverse needs of all learners as well as facilitate accessible educational opportunities.

This competency will provide professionals with an understanding of leveraging technology to create accessible workplace environments and experiences. Participants will learn about a variety of assistive technologies and web accessibility principles, as well as how artificial intelligence can be employed as a tool for effective, accessible solutions.

Participants will explore the principles and practices necessary to create accessible web content and digital experiences for all users. In this competency, you will learn about web accessibility principles, an overview of compliance standards, and how to employ tools and resources to support you in your digital endeavours.

Upon completing PEAC’s Core Competencies (100, 200 and 300), you will receive a certificate featuring a seal acknowledging your achievement. Additionally, you will receive a distinct seal for each Advanced Competencies you complete, which can be added to your certificate, showcasing your continued learning and expertise.  

Please note: the PEAC program certificate is not classified as a professional designation credential. 

No previous experience or studies are required to enroll in PEAC Core Competencies 100, 200, and 300. However, we encourage you to take the Core Competencies in order if possible.  

To take Advanced Competencies, PEAC 100-300 are prerequisites and must be completed, or you must pass the Equivalency Assessment. If you feel you have a solid foundation in the three core competencies, please see below for information about the Equivalency Assessment. The prerequisites for Advanced Competencies ensure that you have a solid knowledge base and understanding before moving on to the more in-depth and application-focused specialty content. 

If you feel that you have a solid understanding of the content provided in each of PEAC 100, 200 and 300 and/or enhanced professional experience in these areas, you may request to complete the online Equivalency Assessment. Upon successful completion of this Assessment, you will be eligible to register for any of the Advanced Competencies; however, you will NOT be eligible to receive the Certificate of Completion for the foundation competencies.  If you wish to receive the Certificate, you will need to take PEAC 100, 200, and 300 in their entirety.  Please contact us directly if you would like to learn more about the Equivalency Assessment.  

Each competency has been designed to be completed within 8 hours  however we have several learning formats to choose from, which allow you to choose the optimum format for your preferred learning style and schedule. See What Is the Learning Format below for more information on these options. 

Outside of the designated class time, you will be expected to complete a brief online quiz to assess your mastery of the content. This quiz is not timed, and you can take as much time as you need to complete it before the deadline, which is two weeks from the completion of each competency. 

There is no expectation of homework or take-away activities in any of the PEAC competency modules. However, resources are available through the PEAC Brightspace course management platform to support the content and learning in each PEAC competency.  

PEAC competency modules are offered in both in-person and online formats. Please refer to our program schedule below to determine attendance options and dates for upcoming sessions.  

Online and in-person sessions must be attended live (synchronous) as scheduled. This program is not self-paced and requires you to be present during the designated live session times.  

In-Person Sessions: All in-person sessions will take place on campus at Carleton University between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm EST and will include several small breaks in both the morning and afternoon sessions, and a one-hour lunch break. Pricing includes light refreshments in the AM/PM as well as a catered lunch. For those planning to take advantage of purchasing a ‘bundle’ of competencies (see How much does it cost), we have intentionally scheduled group sessions in back-to-back daytime slots so that if you’re travelling to Ottawa to attend, you can complete your learning more efficiently. 

Online Sessions: We are pleased to offer two ways for you to maximize your online learning: 

• Option 1 (Half Days) – PEAC competency modules offered in this online format will run over two half days between 12 pm and 4 pm EST to be able to accommodate those who may be joining from different time zones. There will be several small breaks throughout the day to allow for screen breaks. This also allows you to have time in your day to address your life/work commitments as well. 

• Option 2 (Full Days) – PEAC competency modules offered in this online format will run between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm EST and will include several small breaks in both the morning and afternoon sessions to allow for screen breaks, and there will be a one-hour lunch break as well. 

• Customized Learning Experience: Bulk enrollment allows for the possibility of tailored training sessions. The PEAC program can be adapted to address your organization’s specific needs, goals, and challenges, ensuring the training is directly relevant and impactful.  

• Recognition of Investment in Accessibility: Participants receive a certificate upon completion of the three core courses in the PEAC program. This certificate can enhance your organization’s profile, demonstrating your commitment to professional development and accessibility.  

• Access to Knowledge and Resources: Participants gain access to a wealth of curated knowledge from experts in the field, as well as case studies, activity worksheets, and the latest best practices in accessibility.   

• Upskilling Your Workforce: Employees gain valuable skills that can be applied across various projects and roles, enhancing their professional development, capacity, and versatility.  

• Cost Efficiency: Bulk enrollment offers a discounted pricing structure, providing organizations with savings. The cost-effectiveness allows organizations to train more team members within their budget, maximizing their investment in both accessibility and professional development.  

In addition to the benefits for your team, there are benefits for your greater organization:  

• Positive Social Impact: By ensuring your services and products are accessible to all, your organization contributes to a more inclusive society. This positive impact extends beyond compliance, reflecting your broader social responsibility and commitment to equity for both your employees and your clients and customers.  

• Streamlined Processes: An accessible design approach can lead to more streamlined processes, as accessibility considerations are integrated from the start rather than being retrofitted later. This proactive approach can save time and resources. 

Please see the schedule below for the August cohort.

Please see the schedule below for the October cohort.

Please see the schedule below for the November cohort.