Relational Accessibility in Higher Education: The Four R’s, Indigenous Know

How might teaching, learning, and student support change when accessibility is grounded in relationship rather than accommodation alone? This gathering invites educators, students, staff, and community members to explore how Indigenous knowledges can inform more inclusive, relational, and justice-oriented approaches to accessibility in higher education.

Together, participants will reflect on the Four R’s - Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, and Responsibility - and consider how these principles can shape their roles and practices at Queen’s.

The session will also focus on institutional change and responsibility, with attention to different levels of influence and accountability: individual, unit/department, and institution. The guided discussion will explore:

• What shifts could move Queen’s toward more decolonized approaches to accessibility?
• What does accountability look like across individual, unit, and institutional levels?
• How can reciprocity be meaningfully practiced in institutional change?

If you have time, participants are encouraged to read First Nations and Higher Education: The Four R’s - Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, Responsibility by Verna J. Kirkness and Ray Barnhardt (1991) in advance. The article is available at the link provided here.

This hybrid event will take place on February 27, 2026, in Richardson Hall and via Microsoft Teams from 10:30am to 12pm. If you are attending in person, please arrive at the front doors of Richardson shortly before the start time and someone will let you in. Additional details, including the Teams link, will be sent out to registrants in the days before the event.

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