In a world increasingly reliant on rapidly evolving technologies, Arjun\u00a0Rijhwani said putting accessibility at the heart of the design process ensures everyone has equitable opportunities to learn, work and thrive.<\/p>\n
\u201cInclusion is going back to the principle of having accessibility as part of your foundation,\u201d said Rijhwani, Web Accessibility Specialist at Brock University. \u201cHaving accessibility and empathy as part of your universal design \u2014 and seeing that as a strength \u2014 always makes good economic, financial and business sense and enables you to build a more wholesome and impactful community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rijhwani\u2019s contributions to Brock\u2019s ongoing web and digital accessibility work drove his recent recognition as the EDI Changemaker of the Month for January.<\/p>\n
The award is presented by Brock\u2019s Office of Human Rights and Equity (HRE) each month to a student, staff or faculty member who has helped advance equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) on campus.<\/p>\n
HRE\u2019s Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor Megan Kuzak worked with Rijhwani on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) web compliance initiatives this past year.<\/p>\n
\u201cArjun is knowledgeable and dedicated to accessibility; he has worked to educate web content managers on accessible web content and is always available to answer questions regarding web accessibility,\u201d she said. \u201cHe has gone above and beyond in his role, and it shows through the care he puts in his work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rijhwani is passionate about accessible design and adapting technology in built environments to better suit the needs of users with a range of abilities.<\/p>\n
Prior to coming to Brock, he worked as a program lead for technology-focused social programs with the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB). In the role, Rijhwani assisted clients with using smartphones and other devices as well as developing job readiness skills.<\/p>\n
That experience, paired with identifying accessibility challenges that accompanied the widespread digital transformation during COVID-19, inspired him to focus more intensively on initiatives that meet the needs of the disability community in a changing digital landscape.<\/p>\n
Being able to do so at the University has personal significance, he added, as he has lived with a vision impairment since the age of 10.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor most of my own educational experience, I went through the process of requesting accommodations, time increases on assignments and exams and so forth,\u201d Rijhwani said. \u201cDealing with challenges first-hand means that I speak from a first-person perspective, and I can provide anecdotes and examples to inform my work with others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seeing the concrete impact his efforts have on others in the community further fuels his passion, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s why I like waking up to go to work in the morning; hearing even one person tell me that because of work we\u2019ve done, they’re now able to access information that they weren’t able to before,\u201d Rijhwani said.<\/p>\n
While he was once insecure about talking about his disability, Rijhwani says he now \u201cprides himself on being able to share his experiences\u201d with overcoming obstacles in the hopes it will inspire others to do the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank the entire team for selecting me as a Changemaker, as it provides an opportunity for both education and advocacy,\u201d he said. \u201cThere may be others who are going through similar struggles who may not be able to voice their challenges, so having the ability to speak on this more confidently and effectively can continue to drive change to accessibility and inclusion practices.\u201d<\/p>\n