UCOD Meeting Notes (January 13, 2026)

UCLA Committee on Disability / UCOD Meeting Notes (January 13, 2026)

UCOD Meeting Notes (January 13, 2026)

UCOD Meeting
January 13, 2026 / 2PM / Zoom

Attendees

Voting Members:
Yasamin Bolourian, Fang-I Chu, Cate Gvon, Travis Lee, Carolanne Link (Proxy for Caitlin Solone), Sanaz Nabati, Quinn O’Connor, Grace Overman, Sylvia Page, Aryan Pandey, Harold Pimentel, Emilia Podesta, Sal Santa Ana, Nicholas Shinghal, Alexa Vaughn

Absent:
Christine Craib, Michael Garafola

Guests:
Monic Clare, Marissa Klymkiw, Yonit Kovnator, Ariella Morrison, Konstanze Rausch, Spencer Scruggs, Brooke Wilkinson

Agenda

1. Intros (TL, 10 mins)

2. Update on accessibility jobs for undergrads (CL, 5 mins)

a. DCP/UCLA Web Accessibility Initiative are hiring two undergrad positions in the VR lab. Currently reviewing applications. Also hiring four other positions:

i. Front-end web consultant to review SiteImprove results: Does not require HTML/coding knowledge.

ii. Student tester position: Ideal candidate would be a native screen reader and detail oriented.

iii. Social media coordinator: Would produce both static and video posts as well as instructional video creation.

iv. Website accessible engineer: Would oversee and maintain accessibility of DCP website. Ideal candidate has good organizational skills and content management for usability.

b. Applications can be submitted through Handshake. There have been issues with AI-generated cover letters. Please emphasize to candidates that these positions are not very technical.

c. Please encourage students to apply. There is a possibility of more jobs at a later date.

3. Upcoming UCOD elections in spring (CL and TL, 10 mins)

a. If anyone is interested in leadership roles, please talk to Travis. This includes interest in a less formal leadership attaché position.

b. Available positions: 1 undergrad, 1 grad, 1 faculty, 2 staff, 1 alumni, 3 floaters. These are 2 year positions who vote on committee issues. Must attend or send a proxy for ⅔ meetings

c. Up for re-election: Emilia, Alexa, Harold, Fang, Travis, Quinn, Sylvia, Aryan, Yasamin, and Nicholas.

d. Leadership spots: 1 Chair, 2 Vice Chairs, 1 Secretary, 1 Treasurer (new), 1 Voting Facilitator, 1 Physical Spaces Subcommittee Head, 1 Events/DPW Subcommittee Head, 1 Technology/Website Subcommittee Head, 1 Newsletter Subcommittee Head.

4. UCOD leadership update (TL, 10 mins)

a. Michael is currently out on FMLA. Carolanne created a digital card for the committee to sign.

5. Possible funding and alignment with goals (FC and TL, 20 mins)

a. Communicating with Inclusive Excellence and Civil Rights Office leadership about UCOD goals and main issues

b. Fang identified three internal and nine external funding opportunities. She is aiming to identify 15 funding opportunities overall.

i. Next steps: continue searching, narrow options after eligibility confirmed, begin submitting in February.

c. Discussion

i. It is important to ensure there is no duplication with other initiatives on campus. Suggestion to collate all current projects on the website.

ii. Currently we don’t have a department from which to receive funding. Fang is inquiring with the Office of Inclusive Excellence about this.

d. If funding is received, what would be the priorities?:

i. Events. Suggestion for an annual spring event. Possible themes: adaptive rec, jobs, academic conference.

ii. Website/marketing

iii. Student worker(s)

iv. Newsletter

v. Student projects

vi. Disability inclusivity campaign

vii. Student scholarships

viii. Disability Studies capstone experience or other departmental independent studies

ix. Leadership stipends

x. Collaboration with USAC to fund student positions.

6. Department updates and open floor

a. Returning to the document UCOD created last year on developing emergency plans for disabled people at UCLA. The individualized emergency plans option should be rolled out soon by campus. Could UCOD’s document be added to the committee website?

b. Upcoming disability studies conferences: DSALA & Habitable Worlds at LMU and Touro Law Disability Rights & Inclusion

7. Adjourn