Customer Success Stories

Creating Inclusive AV Systems: How OCAD Transformed Collaborative Research

Inclusively Designed, Accessible Technology Solutions

OCAD University, a Canadian hub for art, design, and research, sought ET Group’s expertise to create a cutting-edge, inclusive technology setup at the Inclusive Design Research Center (IDRC). The IDRC required an advanced technological solution to support a globally collaborative research environment dedicated to digital inclusion and equitable access. ET Group’s team worked closely with OCAD to deliver flexible, accessible spaces and tools aligned with OCAD’s values, supporting both physical and virtual collaboration.

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  • Enhanced Accessibility Compliance

    To meet the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, a range of assistive technologies were implemented across all rooms. This includes user-friendly interfaces, customizable control panels, and an inclusive audio system that ensures equal access for all participants. These enhancements are designed to accommodate individuals with varying needs, enabling smoother navigation and interaction for people with disabilities and ensuring a more inclusive learning and working environment for everyone.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration & Learning

    The use of versatile technologies facilitates collaboration across different disciplines, allowing for seamless knowledge sharing and teamwork. These tools support creative problem-solving and innovation, enabling hybrid, multidisciplinary teams to work together efficiently while ensuring that all participants, regardless of background, have equal opportunities to contribute and engage.

  • Digitally Inclusive Learning Environment

    The integration of advanced remote collaboration tools enables students to personalize their learning experience, whether through video, audio, or text, promoting self-directed engagement. This flexibility empowers individuals to choose the format that best suits their needs, fostering a more inclusive, dynamic, and interactive learning environment that adapts to each student's unique preferences.

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What we did for OCAD

Accessible Audio and Video Systems for Collaborative Learning

ET Group installed assistive listening systems, HD PTZ cameras, and dynamic video displays to improve audio and visual accessibility. Supporting up to four users via infrared, the system integrates seamlessly with personal devices, while color-blind-friendly wireless microphones ensure inclusivity.

Customizable, Inclusive Control Interface

ET Group provided a Crestron Touch Panel Control System tailored for accessibility, meeting AODA standards. Users can adjust brightness, font size, and colors, allowing anyone to quickly adapt volume, lighting, and video sources to their needs.

Interactive Video Conferencing for Higher Education

ET Group’s video conferencing platform, designed for IDRC, offers multi-screen support, displaying each participant on an individual screen for a more inclusive experience, allowing remote users to engage as if they were physically present.

Project Impact

Over the years, we have both come to know much better who we are. Whenever we had a communication issue or a technological issue, we had a way to come back to a productive way to solve things. And this is what matters. It is about the relationship and having a group willing to work with us, to understand with us team that takes the time and solves things with us. - Jess Mitchell - Senior Manager Research & Design - OCAD University

Supporting Canada's Best Higher Education Partners

Featured Workspace

Classrooms

Classrooms are designed to be flexible learning environments that adapt to the needs of students and educators. With the integration of audio-visual technology, these spaces become more interactive, allowing for dynamic presentations, real-time collaboration, and access to remote learning resources. Classrooms provide a foundation for engaging, hands-on education, fostering an atmosphere where students can thrive.

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Customer Success Stories

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Creating Inclusive AV Systems: How OCAD Transformed Collaborative Research

Founded in 1867, OCAD University, the “University of Imagination,” champions art, design, and inclusive research practices. Through a partnership with ET Group, the Inclusive Design Research Center (IDRC) aimed to create technologically advanced spaces aligned with their commitment to digital inclusion. ET Group worked closely with OCAD’s IDRC to design rooms that allow global, virtual collaboration while adapting to diverse user needs and accessibility standards. The resulting custom technology solution fosters participation, empowering researchers, students, and collaborators to engage in a more inclusive, innovative environment.

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How York University Built a Classroom of the Future with Interactive Video Wall Technology

York University, located in Toronto, Canada, is a forward-thinking institution known for fostering innovation in higher education. The Lassonde School of Engineering, founded in 2011, aims to produce “renaissance engineers”—entrepreneurial leaders who prioritize social responsibility and global citizenship. This mission aligns with a commitment to leveraging technology to enhance collaboration and produce top-tier engineers who are prepared for a rapidly evolving world.

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Enhancing Operational Efficiency through Remote Monitoring & Management

ET Group partners with them to oversee Audiovisual (AV) and Unified Communications (UC) services in more than 200 meeting rooms across the country.

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