Building a more equitable, inclusive and accessible VIU
At VIU, we are committed to creating a community where everyone is respected, valued and able to participate fully. This includes learning, teaching, research and working environments.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) is a shared responsibility across VIU. It shapes how we learn and teach and conduct research. It informs how we build our workplace, develop policies and practices. It shapes how we support our community.
Our goal is to do more than recognize differences. Our goal is to address barriers so everyone can to learn, work, contribute and thrive here.
EDIA in action
EDIA is not the responsibility of one office or one group. It is how everyone at VIU contributes to learning, working, research and community environments.
Small changes contribute to meaningful institutional change.
How you can contribute to EDIA
- learn about equity and inclusion
- examine your assumptions and practices
- identify barriers
- take part in EDIA learning opportunities
- support respectful and inclusive environments
- speak up when barriers or discrimination occur
EDIA support
If you have experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment or other barriers to participation, or are unsure where to turn, VIU has resources and supports available to you.
EDIA in the workplace
Explore resources to support inclusive workplaces. VIU supports EDIA in the workplace by providing training for search committees, recruitment, professional learning and more.
EDIA in the classroom
We serve a diverse community of learners. VIU’s Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning provides resources to help our faculty develop equitable and inclusive learning experiences.
EDI Action Plan
From 2019 to 2026 we developed our first EDI Action Plan 2021–2026.
This plan identifies six key priorities to enhance equity, diversity and inclusion for the VIU community:
- Ensure that VIU’s Institutional Policies, Procedures, and Processes Support EDI
- Support VIU Learners and Employees to Demonstrate Equitable and Inclusive Behaviour
- Help More Learners from Equity-Deserving Groups Enrol and Thrive at VIU
- Support More Employees from Equity-Deserving Groups to Apply, be Hired, and Thrive at VIU
- Make VIU’S Facilities, Learning Design, and Teaching Practices More Accessible and Inclusive
- Embrace EDI Best Practices in VIU’S Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity
As we move toward the EDIA Plan for 2027 onward, a bridge document is being developed to support this transition. The bridge document builds on the progress and learning from the 2021–2026 Action Plan.