2005-2006 Annual Report

I. Letter of Introduction

May 1, 2006

Vice Chancellor Rosina M. Becerra
UCLA Chancellors Office – Faculty Diversity
Box 951405, 3134 Murphy Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1405

Dear Vice Chancellor Becerra,

The UCLA Committee on Disability is pleased to submit our 2005-2006 Annual Report to you and the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Diversity.  As this academic year draws to a close, we would like to share the progress made in making UCLA more accessible and welcoming to individuals with disabilities.

This year we have seen significant progress and advances on issues facing the Committee.  These include on-going recommendations to eliminate architectural barriers and to provide path of travel signage to make campus buildings more accessible, preliminary work on a new Disabilities Certificate program by UCLA Extension, and renewed efforts toward establishing a Disability minor at the UCLA College.  We have also enjoyed advances from the Office for Students with Disabilities, the Disabilities and Computing Program and the ADA/504 Compliance Office.

The UCLA Committee on Disability is composed of UCLA staff members, graduate students, undergraduate students, faculty members, alumni members and community representatives.  Besides these voting members, there are numerous individuals who attend our meetings, participate in sub-committees and share their knowledge and expertise.  These are ex-officio members, as well as interested individuals from on and off campus.  The Committee’s monthly meetings are well attended and productive.

The Committee currently has three active subcommittees that deal with various aspects of concern for the UCLA Committee on Disability: the Strategic Planning/Nominating Subcommittee, the Communications Subcommittee, and the Academic Subcommittee.  Each of these committees has submitted their own progress report in the accompanying document for your consideration.  Also included are reports from the Office for Students with Disabilities, the Disabilities and Computing Program, the ADA/504 Compliance Office, the Disabled Students Union and Cultural and Recreational Affairs.

I wish to commend and acknowledge the dedicated members, voting and non-voting, who give generously and unselfishly of their time and energy.  The Committee also wishes to acknowledge the efforts of Karen Henderson-Winge, the ADA/504 Compliance Officer and Executive Assistant, Jan Paley, for taking meeting minutes, arranging meeting rooms, and assisting with many logistical issues.

UCLA continues to make significant progress in improving the quality of accessibility on campus.  The goal of the Committee is to make UCLA a leader in disability issues, welcoming all people with disabilities, and making the campus universally accessible to all.

Sincerely,

L. Jeanne Perry, Ph.D.
Chair, UCLA Committee on Disability

II.  Acknowledgements

The following people have substantially contributed to the work of the UCLA Committee on Disability (UCOD) and its subcommittees over the 2005-2006 academic year.

Members of the UCLA Committee on Disability:

Undergraduate Student Representatives:

Sabiha Ameen
Psychological Biology, UCLA

Sumaira Arastu

Patrick Dimapindan
Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA

Deepinder Goraya
English and Classical Civilization, UCLA

Lindsay Spann
Scandinavian Languages, Public Policy, UCLA

Graduate Student Representatives:

Tina Arora, M.S., M.Ed.
Department of Education, UCLA

Brian Ellis
Anthropology Department, UCLA

Malinda Lee
School of Law, UCLA

Chao-Tuan “Charlotte” Liu
Neurobiology, UCLA

Lida W. Wachel, B.S.N., R.N.
School of Nursing, UCLA

Faculty Representatives:

Joan Earle Hahn, D.N.Sc, A.P.R.N., B.C., C.D.D.N.
School of Nursing, Tarjan Center, UCLA

L. Jeanne Perry, Ph.D.
Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, UCLA

Staff Representatives:

Albert E. Aubin, Ph.D.
Career Center, UCLA

Barbara Bernstein
History Department, UCLA

William T. Coleman, M.Arch., A.I.A.
Capital Programs, UCLA

Stephanie Fisher, M.A.
Department of Neurology, UCLA

Alumni Representative:

Guy Leemhuis, J.D.
Class of 1990

Community Representative:

Donna M. Bryan, B.S.

Ex-Officio Representatives:

Patrick Burke
Disabilities and Computing Program, UCLA

Michael Clark
Staff Affirmative Action Office, UCLA

Carol Conrad
Facilities Management, UCLA

Gigi Marr
Facilities Management, UCLA

Rick Greenwood, Ph.D.
Office of Research and Occupational Safety, UCLA

Karen Henderson-Winge, M.A., L.M.F.T.
ADA & 504 Compliance Office, UCLA

Thomas A. Kosakowski, J.D.
Office of Ombuds Services, UCLA

Kathy Molini, M.S., Ed.D.
Office for Students with Disabilities, UCLA

Janina Montero, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, UCLA

Wendy B. Motch, M.S.
Cultural and Recreational Affairs, UCLA

Mauricio “Reese” Ramos, J.D.
Office of Ombuds Services, UCLA

Jennifer L. Wolf, M.D.R., M.B.A.
Office of Ombuds Services, UCLA

Harold Wong
Disabilities and Computing Program, UCLA

Interested Parties:

Joseph Devanney
UCLA Extension

Donna Dougherty
UCLA Alumni and Community Activist

Susan Drange Lee
Committee on Diversity, UCLA

Karen Leventhal
Tarjan Center at UCLA

Erik Eggins
UCLA Medical Center Safety Office

Regina F. Lark, Ph.D.
UCLA Extension

Ronni Sanlo, Ed.D.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center, UCLA

III.  UCOD Officers and Subcommittee Members

Chair: L. Jeanne Perry, Ph.D.

Vice Chair: Stephanie Fisher, M.A.

Academic Subcommittee
Chair: Albert E. Aubin, Ph.D. (Past Chair, UCOD)
Tina Arora, M.S., M.Ed.
Barbara Bernstein
Patrick Dimapindan
Deepinder Goraya
Joan Earle Hahn, D.N.Sc, A.P.R.N., B.C., C.D.D.N.
Regina F. Lark, Ph.D.
Kathy Molini, M.S. Ed.D.
Lindsay Spann
Lida W. Wachel, B.S.N., R.N.

Communications Subcommittee
Chair: Mauricio “Reese” Ramos, J.D.
Vice Chair: Jennifer L. Wolf, M.D.R., M.B.A.
Patrick Burke
William T. Coleman, M.Arch., A.I.A.
Joseph Devanney
Donna Dougherty
Thomas A. Kosakowski, J.D.
Guy Leemhuis, J.D.
Wendy B. Motch, M.S.
L. Jeanne Perry, Ph.D.
Harold Wong

Strategic Planning and Nominating Subcommittee
Chair: Stephanie Fisher, M.A.
Donna M. Bryan, B.S. (Past Chair, UCOD)
Brian Ellis
Karen Henderson-Winge, M.A., L.M.F.T.
Malinda Lee
Karen Leventhal

IV.  Strategic Planning and Nominating Subcommittee Report

Submitted by: Stephanie Fisher, M.A., Chair of the Subcommittee

The focus of the Strategic Planning and Nominating Subcommittee is in the following areas:

  • Nomination of faculty, staff, alumni and community members to the UCOD.
  • Interaction with represented groups, e.g., Student Government, and Staff Assembly.
  • Recruitment and correspondence with prospective members.
  • Member information/education (e.g. New Member Handbook).
  • Identification of potential areas of focus for UCOD.
  • Leadership succession planning.
  • Identification and nurturing of relationships with other campus and non-campus based entities of relevance to UCOD mission.
  • Performing other functions related to strategic planning and nominating as issues arise.

During the 2005-2006 Academic Year, the Subcommittee has accomplished the following:

  • Creation of UCOD working subcommittees.
  • Recruitment of new faculty representative.
  • Interaction with ASUCLA leadership to identify graduate and undergraduate student representatives.
  • Interaction with inactive members regarding their current commitment to UCOD, resulting in some members stepping down from roles and others re-committing.
  • Initial draft of New Member Handbook.  Goal is for this to be finalized by end of the 2005 – 2006 academic year.
  • Proposed revision to UCOD By-Laws, updating 20 year old document to reflect current needs and priorities.  This is under full committee review as of March 6, 2006.

Goals for the 2006-2007 Academic Year include:

  • Strengthen student roles on UCOD.
  • Strategically recruit additional community members.
  • Pursue collaborative relationships with campus and non-campus based entities working in the area of disability.
  • Develop proposal for UCOD to spearhead campus-based “disability awareness” event in partnership with other campus entity/entities.

V. Communications Subcommittee Report

Submitted by: Jennifer L. Wolf, M.D.R., M.B.A., Vice Chair of the Subcommittee

The responsibilities of the Communications Subcommittee include the execution of the following tasks:

  • Compilation of UCOD’s 2005-2006 Annual Report, due to the Committee on Diversity by May 1, 2006.
  • Distribution of campus-wide memos to Deans, Directors and Administrative Officers to spread awareness of the existence of the UCOD and offer to meet with departments interested in providing disability awareness training (also locating and developing awareness training curricula), and also review any policies a department has regarding disability accommodations.
  • Consideration of a campus-wide letter soliciting links and info to include in an access web page: www.accessweb.ucla.edu.
  • Coordination and distribution of materials which increase awareness of disability on Campus and which educate campus community on recreational resources.
  • Development of stronger ties with the disability student groups on campus, to build a stronger network to support disabilities awareness events.
  • Communication with representatives from the campus and greater Los Angeles communities to create awareness of the needs of the disabled, and to improve disabled access to both existing and proposed facilities.
  • Coordination of Guest Speakers for UCOD meetings.

Recent guest speakers have included:

  • Lena Brown, from the Community College Transfer Program in Undergraduate Admissions and Relations with Schools
  • Cynthia Burt, Coordinator of the Ergonomics Program for the Department of Environment, Health & Safety
  • Mary Ann Jones, Director of the Westside Center for Independent Living
  • Special Guests from the National Association for the Mentally Ill (NAMI): Frank Baron, Nancy Carter, Niki Davis, Stella March, Jim Randall, and Special Guests from the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health: John Griffin, Kirsten Deichert
  • Kathy Molini, Director of the Office for Students with Disabilities
  • Ronni Sanlo, Director of  the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, the Communications Subcommittee has developed the following goals for 2006 – 2007:

  • Compilation of another annual report.
  • Coordinating the update of the publication, “UCLA Pathways – An Access Guide” which outlines access paths around campus (to be available in hard copy and electronically).
  • Partnering with the Disabilities and Computing Program to expand the UCOD website and link it to other appropriate resources and websites.
  • Identify resources and support groups for students and staff with disabilities.

VI.  Academic Subcommittee Report

Submitted by: Albert E. Aubin, Ph.D., Chair of the Subcommittee

The Academic Subcommittee has been focusing on the development of a Disability Studies program.  This idea began with the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Disability under the leadership of Dr. Jayne Spencer. For nearly two years, the committee investigated national initiatives that have Disability Studies as a component of their program.  Members of the Academic Sub-Committee have discussed the possibility of a disability studies minor with representatives from the Tarjan Center for Developmental Disabilities at UCLA (Dr. Olivia Raynor), the Honors and Undergraduate Programs (Lucy Blackmar, Director of Undergraduate Initiatives in the College), and University Extension

(Dr. Regina Lark).

Short-term objectives that have been met:

  • Created a working group of UCLA faculty, key administrators, and University Extension professional staff to develop the foundations for a Disability Studies interdisciplinary program.
  • Assessed the disability content in current UCLA courses; continuing to identify these classes both on campus and through University Extension.
  • Discussions have been held with faculty, staff, and students regarding the nature of the cultural, political, and economical constructs that are challenged and examined through the contributions of a disability study perspective.  The subcommittee has continued to review course offerings and identified existing classes.

The subcommittee identified two approaches to creating disability studies programs:

  • A disability studies minor through Honors and Undergraduate Programs in the College of Letters and Science.
  • A Disability Studies Certificate to be offered through University Extension.

UCLA Extension is a “natural fit” for a Certificate in Disability Studies as it will foster intra (Extension) inter (campus) and community relationships.  Dr. Regina Lark is the lead in facilitating discussions about the certificate program and she also serves as a member of the UCOD.

The Academic Subcommittee has identified the following goals for the 2006-2007 Academic Year:

  • Continue to develop the UNEX Disability Certificate Program.
  • Complete a proposal for a Disability Studies Minor to be submitted to the Undergraduate Council, with the assistance of Lucy Blackmar.

VII.  Appendices: Reports by Offices and Programs which Coordinate with UCOD

  • Disabilities and Computing Program Report
  • Office for Students with Disabilities Report
  • ADA/504 Compliance Office Report
  • Disabled Students Union Report
  • Cultural and Recreational Affairs Report

Appendix A:  Disabilities and Computing Program Report

Submitted by: Patrick Burke, Director

The Disabilities and Computing Program (DCP) offers expertise in adaptive technology to UCLA Staff, Students and Faculty. We currently serve approximately 125 students and 25 University employees (40 new clients since September 2005). DCP services include: 7-station accessible computing lab, loaner laptops for additional technology evaluation, training and technical support for clients, conversion of print materials to accessible formats, consultation on accessible Web design, and collaboration on grant proposals.

A partial listing of DCP activities from the past year follows:

  • Collaborating with Dr. Melissa Chun of the Jules Stein Eye Institute to study the effectiveness of computer training for older patients with low vision.
  • Brailling textbook and supporting materials for a Latin class.
  • Providing voice recognition tech support for a student who completed her Ph.D.
  • Providing a laptop for a student with multiple disabilities to give him home-based access to software from the Center for Digital Humanities computer lab.
  • Providing Braille support for a blind guest lecturer.
  • Web Access Projects, including: UCLA School of Law, Campus Calendar, AIS Portal (Business Services)

The DCP has reported regularly to UCOD on DCP organizational changes and has kept the Committee informed on technology and Web access issues affecting the University. DCP staff members have participated in the UCOD Communications Subcommittee. DCP has offered the Accessweb site (www.accessweb.ucla.edu) as a venue for UCOD news and outreach efforts (this site assembles disability information from across the campus and is linked from the UCLA homepage).

The DCP has identified two critical areas of operation and focus for future planning.:

  • Access to information (web accessibility, campus publishing, course-related materials): Persons with disabilities must maintain equal access to course materials and University services, which are increasingly offered in electronic form. An effort to coordinate the UC campuses and UCOP accessibility policy is now underway. A meeting was held at UC Berkeley on March 13, covering issues of web accessibility. The DCP will be an active participant in these system-wide efforts.
  • Ubiquitous, transparent computing: Ultimately, persons with disabilities should have access to all campus computing services. This complex task requires planning for accessibility in building construction, lab and classroom design, and University product purchasing, among other areas. As part of the Office of Information Technology (OIT) the DCP is dedicated to working with campus organizations to achieve this goal.

Appendix B:     Office for Students with Disabilities

Submitted by: Kathy Molini, M.S., Ed.D., Director

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides a wide range of academic support services to regularly enrolled students with documented permanent or temporary disabilities in compliance with federal and state laws and University policies.  Academic support services are determined for each student according to specific disability-based requirements.  The range of services includes: readers, notetakers, sign language interpreters/captioning, proctor and test-taking arrangements, on-campus transportation, registration assistance, priority enrollment, special parking assistance, tutorial referral, housing assistance, processing of California Department of Rehabilitation authorizations, campus orientation, adaptive equipment, referral to the Disabilities and Computing Program, support groups and workshops. OSD services are free to students and all contacts and assistance are handled confidentially.

The UCOD is the official advisory group to the OSD. The Director of the OSD, who serves as an ex-officio member on UCOD, gives a report at each meeting bringing the Committee up-to-date on issues regarding students with disabilities.  The Director also serves on various sub-committees as needed.

The OSD depends on the support of UCOD and relies on working with the Committee to determine those activities and projects that will provide or improve accessibility to the educational pursuit and experience of students with disabilities.

Appendix C: ADA/504 Compliance Office Report

Submitted by: Jan Paley, Executive Assistant

In 2005-2006, the ADA/504 Compliance Office has been involved with the following:

Festival of Books:

Consulted with Los Angeles Times staff and UCLA staff on access issues related to attendance at the annual Festival of Books event held on campus each spring. This includes providing a location for TTY calls to be retrieved and responded to as well as physically placing appropriate access signs at Festival sites during the event.

Access Signage:

Consulted with campus Sign Shop on installation of temporary and permanent signage throughout campus, especially at the following permanent sites: permanent accessibility signs are being installed on the south campus in Franz Hall, Boelter Hall/Math Sciences, Engineering IV, Geology, Young Hall and the Court of Sciences/Bombshelter.  The signs guide wheelchair users to the accessible entrances to the classrooms and lecture halls in and between Young and Geology.  Signs will also guide everyone including wheelchair users through Boelter Hall/Math Sciences from the Court to Structure 9 and Westwood Blvd.  Many of these signs are already installed.  We look to the installation of the remaining signs by the time of this report.

Construction Mitigation:

Karen Henderson-Winge consulted and worked with Donna Bryan, member of the UCOD, on placement of critical access signage during massive construction on south campus.

Professional Activities:

Karen again attended the annual Americans with Disabilities Act Workshop given by National Employment Law Institute (NELI) in Pasadena this past fall. She also attends monthly meetings of the LA City Commission on Disability where she serves as a Commissioner and is one of the Vice Presidents.

A number of confidential issues have been resolved through working with OSD, Student Legal Services, Campus Counsel, and Ombuds Office.

 

Appendix D:  Disabled Students Union Report

Submitted by: Lindsay Spann, President

Disabled Student Union (DSU) is a student run organization funded by USAC and run on the UCLA campus.  The mission is to create disability awareness on campus, both in and out of the classroom.  In the past, DSU has held such events as October’s Disability Awareness Month, disability film showings in the residence halls, Theater by the Blind and Physically Disabled (Changing Perceptions Theater Group), and multiple sensitivity trainings.

Recently, the membership to DSU has decreased, which may be in part due to the lack of awareness or discomfort in students wish to express views about their disability or disability in general.

The goal for the Spring 2006 quarter is to help get the word out about DSU and increase membership numbers, which may be facilitated in part through the help of UCOD.  A beneficial way to approach increasing membership would be to go through other USAC groups – since disability covers all areas of life.  Going through OSD would provide an even bigger group since that is also the target audience of DSU.  Suggested methods would include but are not limited to the following: advertisements of meetings and events of DSU, student panels, a suggestion box and perhaps, meeting with the directors/counselors of OSD for consultation to gain more input on what can be done.  Word of mouth spread by UCOD members to recruit students/faculty from various departments would be helpful as well.

Appendix E:  Cultural and Recreational Affairs: Adaptive Recreation Initiative & Focus Group Report

Submitted by: Wendy B. Motch, M.S., Associate Director

The Department of Cultural and Recreational Affairs (UCLA Recreation) has recognized that in our mission to serve all students and the greater UCLA community, a variety of adaptations and upgrades were needed in our physical spaces as well as in our program services and activities.  Our department was invited to the UCLA Committee on Disability to present information on our department and services offered, and to present our initial exploration of adaptive programming, specifically in our outdoor adventures and marina programs.  The committee was extremely pleased with our department’s efforts, and their awareness level was significantly raised related to the accessibility and programs we already had in place.  This opportunity has developed into an on-going relationship with our department, and we are now an ex-officio member of the UCOD.

The first goal we completed in the past 18 months was to do a facility audit of our spaces and determine what accommodations we could make at this time to make our spaces more accessible to the community.  We were able to compile a list of all the accessible spaces we already had in place (all of our facilities already have ADA restrooms, accessible doors, and pool lifts) and determine that we could modify the following physical changes:

  • Wheel-chair accessible entry systems were installed at the John Wooden Center to allow for independent access.
  • A wheel-chair lift was installed to allow wheel-chair access to the lower level racquet ball courts and the climbing wall.
  • A ramp was installed from Canyon Point Residence Halls to allow direct access to the Sunset Canyon Recreation Center and tennis courts.

UCLA Recreation decided to create an Adaptive Recreation Focus Group to assist us in research, assessment, evaluation and recommendations towards establishing and implementing an adaptive recreation initiative.  The first adaptive recreation focus group was held on February 16, 2006 and included representatives from UCLA Recreation, the MS Achievement Center, Pathways through UCLA Extension, Office for Students with Disabilities, UCOD, students, alumni, and community members.

The group has identified the need to focus on the following areas:  research the current resources at UCLA and the greater Los Angeles community; develop a needs assessment and strategic plan; establish collaborative partnerships; develop educational opportunities for staff; identify and apply for funding sources; engage the larger Los Angeles community; and identify area for program delivery.

The focus group will continue to meet at least once per quarter and on-going reports will be provided to the UCLA Committee on Disability.