Mitacs Training Launches Accessibility Update, Prioritizing Access for All

Mitacs Training curriculum is evolving to ensure all courses meet high accessibility standards and are available to everyone in a consistent, high-quality format, reducing barriers to learning

Vancouver, BC — Mitacs has updated the Mitacs Training curriculum to make it more accessible for all users. As part of an effort to prioritize accessibility, the update advances the organization’s commitment to inclusivity, enriching the learning experience.

As of February 15, 2024, all 32 Mitacs asynchronous courses comply with the WCAG 2.0 AA standard.  Some of the improvements include:

  • Consistent structure, spacing, and headings
  • Fully accessible colour contrast ratios, including new visually accessible graphics and integrated alternative text
  • Accessible learning materials and resources in Word and Excel
  • Media content suite including subtitles and transcripts

The organization is currently working to extend the accessibility enhancements to the facilitated synchronous sessions.

Offered online throughout Canada, Mitacs Training is designed to complement the hands-on research skills and experience gained through initiatives such as Accelerate, Elevate, and Globalink. Courses are free of charge, facilitated by industry leaders, and cover core competencies such as management, communication, and intrapreneurialism.

With courses in English and French, Mitacs Training is open to all Mitacs program participants, as well as other postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate and graduate students at Canadian institutions (up to two years after graduation).

Quotes

“The accessibility advancements on the Mitacs Training curriculum will ensure that more learners have access to Mitacs’s high-quality professional development opportunities. A result of our deep commitment to continued progress in inclusive innovation, the enhancements break down barriers while also elevating every learner’s journey.”

Angelin Soosaipillai, Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Mitacs

“A core piece of Mitacs’s commitment to inclusive innovation is the effort to ensure our programs are accessible and equitable for everyone. We’re dedicated to propelling our partners and the Canadian innovation ecosystem forward in our collective journey towards inclusivity. This initiative will help Mitacs ensure that research and innovation can be done for the good of everyone, by everyone.”

Dr. John Hepburn, CEO, Mitacs

About Mitacs 

Mitacs empowers Canadian innovation through effective partnerships that deliver solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. Mitacs assists organizations in reaching their goals, funds cutting-edge innovation, and creates job opportunities for students and postdocs.

A not-for-profit organization, Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.

Learn more at mitacs.ca.

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