Accessibility, Belonging and Community

Oki, and welcome to the University of Lethbridge. Our University’s Blackfoot name is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone. The University of Lethbridge acknowledges and deeply appreciates the Siksikaitsitapi peoples’ connection to their traditional territory. We, as people living and benefiting from Blackfoot Confederacy's traditional territory, honour the traditions of people who have cared for this land since time immemorial. We recognize the diverse population of Indigenous Peoples who attend the University of Lethbridge and the contributions these Indigenous Peoples have made in shaping and strengthening the University community in the past, present and in the future.
 

Our commitment as an institution to Accessibility, Belonging and Community is about creating safe and inclusive spaces for all experiences, stories and identities.

Accessibility, Belonging and Community (ABC) are key strategic priorities for the University of Lethbridge. It is important that all members of the University community feel a true sense of belonging. The ABC team is located within the President's Office.

The responsibilities of the ABC team are:

1

To provide strategic leadership, guidance and direction for ABC matters at the University of Lethbridge

2

To support the development of Senior Leadership capacity

3

To serve as a centralized subject matter expert on ABC and Human Rights issues

4

To provide ABC consulting services and supports to the University community

5

To report on ABC-aggregated metrics

As a team, we aspire to be a part of the change, to lead by example and build a legacy at the University of Lethbridge we can all be proud of.

The following key definitions guide our work in Accessibility, Belonging and Community:

Accessibility refers to the extent to which a product, service or environment is available to be used by all audiences, particularly those with disabilities. At ULethbridge, we strive to ensure that our services, programs, policies, spaces, environments and actions are welcoming and inclusive to a wide range of abilities, lived experiences and backgrounds.

Belonging refers to having an authentic sense of inclusion where an individual feels psychologically safe, seen, valued and respected for one's unique identity, background and contributions. Belonging unlocks the value of diversity within the campus community and is a critical part of engagement and well-being. 

Community refers to all members of the campus community (students, employees, alumni, and the broader community) who come together to achieve a collective goal/outcome. At ULethbridge, we build relationships between people and communities, creating connections and understanding based on respect, collaboration and shared advocacy to enhance mutual understanding, growth and support.