Chris Lytle is Brock's new AODA co-ordinator.

The University has a new Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) co-ordinator.

Christopher Lytle started at Brock in March, replacing Margaret Sanderson, who left in September for a post at Sheridan College.

Lytle brings with him a world of experience. He has worked as a research associate for Disability Rights Promotion International at York University, where he helped national organizations of people with disabilities develop individual human rights monitoring, systems monitoring and media monitoring. His work at York took him to Rwanda, Serbia, Nepal, Thailand and Montenegro to establish pilot monitoring initiatives.

Prior to that, he participated in the development of the draft text of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as a part of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD).

After leaving York in 2012, Lytle started a consulting firm to help businesses and organizations improve accessibility to comply with the AODA Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.

He has a bachelor’s degree in social anthropology and his master’s in Critical Disability Studies from York University.

Lytle sees the AODA as a mechanism of the Ontario Human Rights Code and will work toward an inclusive and barrier-free environment for all faculty, staff and students. His initial goal is to ensure the University is compliant with the IASR in its built environment, teaching and learning, employment standards, and information and communications systems.

“Accessibility is an aspect of a healthy vibrant community and by its nature, it is a continuum,” he says. “I am here to complement the work that has been done so far with my goal of ensuring that Brock University can become a central figure as an inclusive place for people to learn and work.

“I see my role as an opportunity to build a positive cultural awareness surrounding inclusion at Brock,” he adds.

Lytle can be found on the 11th floor of the Schmon Tower where he works with Kathryn Walker, Interim Manager, Health Management and Wellness.