Minutes
UCLA COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
- Introduction & Quorum
- Minutes
- Agenda
- Subcommittee Reports
- Campus Reports
- Annual Reports
- Announcements
- Adjournment
I. Introduction & Quorum
Mark Ackerman, Donna Bryan, Patrick Burke, Mike Clark, Bert Cueva, Stephanie Fisher, Eileen Fowler, Thomas Griffin, Jamie Hoffman, Deidre Hollingsworth, Dan Levitt, Laura Sobchick, Monroe Gorden, Adrienne Malka, Wendy Motch, Kathy Molini, Andrew Tai, Alex Stavchanski, Bob Werle, Karen Henderson-Winge, Al Aubin, Nick Corso, Monroe Gorden
Excused: Chad Brown, Martine Hall, Lisa Mueller
II.Minutes
The minutes for February 10, 2009 were approved with the request to add to section B of the OSD report “Who We Are and What We Do”, to include retention statistics on students with disabilities, including mental health.
In the presentation, Dan Levitt stated that the OSD does not have any numbers on those and if students were from the Student Psychological Services, Counseling and/or Student Psych Services, those records would be confidential.
Bert Cueva went on to say that on page 5, the last paragraph where it states issues of faculty responsibility regarding upholding ADA/504 mandates, as well as UC policy was omitted. She went on to say that, it is a matter of honoring protocol and the policy in regards to what the UC policy states, under ADA/504.
As per Bert Cueva’s request, attached is the Faculty Outreach Subcommittee report. (word doc)
III. Agenda
The Accommodation Process for Students
In follow-up to questions raised at the last meeting, Monroe Gorden provided a presentation regarding the process and resources available to students who may still be struggling and/or having challenges with their accommodation process or implementation after working through OSD and their academic department.
Monroe Gorden reported that the ADA/504 Office works directly with the Dean of Students Office on addressing any concerns or grievances as stipulated in UC Policy. The applicable policy can be found under the guidelines related to campus activities, organizations and students, which specifically talks about non-discrimination.
A student would come to the ADA office if he/she felt a department on campus was not complying and/or cannot come to an agreement. The next step would be to try and work through a resolution and possibly utilize the Ombuds service in facilitating the discussion. If all other resources have been exhausted, a student may file a grievance, which would be formally submitted through the Dean of Students Office.
Kathy Molini added if a student is having difficulty with the services or accommodation, the student would meet with her and if they need to go further, they would then meet with Monroe Gorden, the Acting ADA/504 Compliance officer. In the past, Monroe indicated that there has not been a a grievance filed since he has been serving as the acting ADA/504 Coordinator, as OSD has been very successful at addressing and educating campus departments on their role and responsibility of implementing an accommodation
OSD talks with departments to resolve whatever issue a student is facing and many times, it is a miscommunication or education that needs to happen and many student issues get resolved immediately.
Bert Cueva commented that from a student perspective, it is not that simple and that it is a very taxing process and sometimes information is not transparent. She pointed out that for students with disabilities going through this process, there is also harm conducted when departments or faculty do not comply in honoring the UC policy and the American with Disability Act.
Jim McGlynn asked about students who may want to go outside to seek resolution and inquired whether or not it was appropriate, or where they would go for such counsel here on campus.
Monroe stated that the campus procedure is setup, and if an issue arises, it is managed internally at UCLA. He went on to say that the Office for Civil Rights may be an office someone could go to when they believe an entity is not complying with ADA/504.
Deidre stated that at faculty meetings, when an accommodation for student is discussed, faculty may be suspicious of things they cannot see and they tend to see that as asking for a favor.
Wendy Motch asked, “How can we do a better job reaching faculty, helping them to become better educated with information about invisible disabilities, confidentiality and working with OSD”?
Kathy mentioned that one of the most effective tools of educating faculty is working directly with a faculty member. Proctoring services tied to the academic mission is one of the most utilized services by students with unobservable disabilities. Direct connections with faculty over the years have been the best form of education.
Monroe Gorden thanked Patrick Burke for his help in the reconstructing of the ADA & 504 website. The calendar will be available for groups to post events related to disability resources or program on campus. Monroe also indicated that resources for students will be more readily available on the site, including links for students who would like more information on the grievance procedures..
Stephanie suggested adding a greater breadth of pictures reflecting individuals with disabilities because if someone goes to this website they would think everyone you see has a visible disability but many people have invisible disabilities. The second suggestion is to spell out UCOD.
Regarding the grievance procedure Bert Cueva stated there are a lot of things that need to be put on the table that are very important regarding protecting students with disabilities whether physical or invisible. In reading the entire policy, she said that there is no protection for the student and testimonies she received from undergraduate and graduate students it is a process to a degree, which impairs some of the conditions for students. She mentioned that she read the procedure 23.01 and there are no protections for students. She wondered if that might have something to do with students stepping forward.
Monroe Gorden expressed that the protections are there under the law and a student does not forfeits their protection by filing a complaint. He went on to say that, there are issues he believes for any kind of proceeding that you are risking alienating yourself and these issues do not mean you forfeit protection..
Bert Cueva read verbatim on how to whistle blow on suspected activities and asked if it is possible to include this procedure, so that students know that there is something else out there that offers protection.
Adrienne Malka summarized committee discussions over the past months about concern for students with disabilities not being served and information provided by presenters from OSD and ADA/504 Compliance Office. She noted that the UCOD has been educated on the comprehensive programs and procedures available to students and the extent OSD goes to implement classroom accommodations. She added that UCOD has been informed about policy and procedures a student can pursue when their needs are not met. She summarized information provided by presenters on numbers of students served, website improvements, and the open doors of OSD and ADA office, and suggested that this matter has been addressed.
A. Subcommittee Reports
Faculty Outreach Committee
Stephanie fisher reported in lieu of having an additional meeting they made the decision to wait for Monroe to answer some questions that were addressed at the last UCOD meeting. She added there is a need to talk again as a committee to wrap up the specific charge and recommendations.
She added that the issue of faculty education needs studying and should be visible in the report and that UCOD could submit the report to the Chancellor's Advisory Group on Diversity.
Susan Drange Lee invited the UCOD to submit a report to be included in the CAGD larger report regarding the status of diversity and future strategic planning. She suggested making a request to be on the agenda and to include the report and she mentioned that the time line for submission is the beginning of the summer quarter
Communication Committee
Jim McGlynn thanked those who submitted edits for the Annual Report. He mentioned that Andrew Tai added Google analytics to the website to see who is looking at the site. The first attempt for community recognition is the profile of Stephanie Fisher on UCLA today and they are looking forward on getting similar profiles published, for individuals who might be worthy.
Membership / Recruitment Committee
Adrienne Malka reported that Mike Clark has been very active in trying to keep up with the membership roster and that most of the positions have been filled. Mike Clark disseminated envelopes with a form for individuals to complete what they want to be included for their profile.
Bylaws Subcommittee
Included in the handout, the old and the revised Bylaws and Donna Bryan mentioned that an email would go out to voting member for comment and suggestions.
IV. Other Business
Adrienne Malka made it known that the Office of Risk Management s holding a series of breakfast seminars and the first one is on April 21, it will on accommodating employees with disabilities in the workforce. The workshop, May 12 will be dedicated to employment practice, avoiding employment practice lawsuits, with the last is June 2, on focusing on injury prevention. For more information, contact Adrienne Malka at 310-794-8012
Adrienne reported that Phyllis Chang the director for the California Fair Employment and Housing, will speak at the May 12, UCOD meeting. Phyllis is in charge of any type of discrimination in the State of California.
Wendy Motch mentioned that they originally planned on nominations for 2009/2010 officer positions at the May meeting
Adrienne Malka welcomed others to step up their interest in taking over for Chair or Vice Chair’s positions for the next fiscal year.
Wendy Motch mentioned that she will have a large commitment coming up this fall and will not be able to continue in the Chairs position.
Adrienne congratulated Wendy Motch on her acceptance into the Doctor al Program in Educational Leadership at UCLA.
Congratulations were also shared for Eileen Fowler who just received an endowed chair position.
V. Campus Reports
A. ADA & 504 Compliance Office - No Report
B. Counseling & Psychological Services - No Report
C. Disabled Students Union - No Report
D. Undergraduate Students Association - No Report
E. Graduate Student Association
Bert Cueva reported that they went to Sacramento to lobby senators, regarding the master plan for higher education. There was a promise to make education affordable, educational access for all and the promise of diversity.
F. Disabilities and Computing Program
Patrick Burke thanked Andrew Tai for his work on the ADA website and he added that they have a flurry of website accessibility requests coming in.
G. Office for Students with Disabilities - No Report
H. Tarjan Center - No Report
I. UCLA Recreation - No Report
J. Employee Disability Management Services
Adrienne Malka reported that campus human resources created a brochure titled preventing and responding to violence in the community, and it lists information about threatening behavior, where to find assistance, managing threat, and referrals to phone numbers including the UCPD et cetera. She suggested putting this up as a link on the UCOD website.
VI. Announcement
Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Next Meeting: Tuesday April 14, 2009 at the Faculty Center - Hacienda Room
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