Black Youth Success Accessibility Statement
Black Youth Success (BYS) is committed to creating programs, services, and environments that are accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to all youth, families, volunteers, staff, community members, and neurodiverse youth and youth living with disabilities.
We recognize that barriers can be physical, social, communication-related, technological, or created by policies and practices. Our approach to accessibility focuses on identifying, preventing, and removing barriers to participation and creating opportunities for everyone to participate with dignity, respect, independence, integration, and equal opportunity.
BYS is committed to continually improving the accessibility of our programs, services, communications, events, and activities. Where possible, we strive to anticipate accessibility needs rather than requiring individuals to navigate barriers on their own.
Accessible Programs and Services
BYS works to provide inclusive and accessible experiences across the programs and services we offer, including programs delivered in schools, community settings, post-secondary institutions, and online.
We aim to:
Create welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environments for youth and families.
Consider accessibility for all when planning programs, events, activities, and communications.
Provide information through communication methods that take individual accessibility needs into account.
Work with participants to identify and address barriers to participation.
Provide reasonable accommodations to support participation in BYS programs and activities.
Consider accessibility in both physical and virtual program environments.
Listen to feedback from youth, families, volunteers, staff, and community partners to strengthen our accessibility practices.
We recognize disability as part of human diversity and are committed to creating inclusive environments where differences are respected, valued, and viewed from an asset-based lens.
Requesting an Accommodation
If you require an accommodation to participate in a BYS program, event, service, or activity, please let us know. You do not need to disclose a diagnosis or provide more personal information than is necessary to help us understand and meet your accessibility needs.
Accommodation requests can be made:
During program or event registration;
By contacting a BYS staff member before a program or event; or
Through the Contact Us section of our website or by emailing info@byssi.ca
When requesting an accommodation, please let us know what support or adjustment would help you participate. We will work with you to understand your needs and determine an appropriate accommodation.
Accommodation requests should be made as early as possible, particularly for events or programs that require advance planning. However, BYS recognizes that accessibility needs may arise at any time and encourages individuals to reach out whenever support is needed.
Our Commitment to Feedback
Accessibility is an ongoing process. We welcome questions, suggestions, and feedback about how we can make our programs, services, communications, and activities more accessible.
If you experience a barrier while participating in a BYS program or service, or have a suggestion for improving accessibility, please contact us. Feedback will be reviewed respectfully and used to help BYS identify opportunities to prevent and remove barriers.
Our goal is to ensure that every young person has an equitable opportunity to participate, feel included, and access the programs, resources, and opportunities available through Black Youth Success.