UCOD Meeting Notes (January 14, 2025)

UCLA Committee on Disability / UCOD Meeting Notes (January 14, 2025)

UCOD Meeting Notes (January 14, 2025)

UCOD Meeting
January 14, 2025 / 2PM / Zoom

Attendees

Voting Members:
Christine Craib, Michael Garafola, Travis Lee, Carolanne Link, Sanaz Nabati, Quinn O’Connor, Sylvia Page, Emilia Podesta, Sal Santa Ana (proxy for Harold Pimentel), Nicholas Shinghal, Caitlin Solone, Alexa Vaughn

Absent:
Yasmin Bolourian, Fang-I Chu, Adam Kipust, Kayla Kirsten Regalado

Guests:
Fara Anzures, Kelly Goodman, Brandie Kirkpatrick, Yonit Kovnator, Ariella Morrison, Aryan Pandey, Rachel Rodgers, Spencer Scruggs, Brooke Wilkinson, Mikaela Zetley

Agenda

1. Intros (TL, 7 mins)

2. Newsletter updates (Newsletter subcommittee, 5 mins)

a. January issue’s theme is UCOD.

b. Possible changes in newsletter distribution after June 2025.

3. Sad news of disabled people unable to evacuate Eaton Fire (TL & CL, 5 mins)

4. Emergency process for disabled (Everyone, 15-20 mins)

a. Should UCOD create an emergency resource guide for people with disabilities?

b. Office of Emergency Management has been in contact with ADA Compliance. Yonit can take feedback to OEM.

c. There is a new website in the works that would allow UCLA community members to register for individualized emergency evacuation plans (IEEPs). CAE’s accommodations logistics coordinator would be involved for student plans. This specialist would be available to work with disabled students both registered and not registered with the CAE to go over public information, identify frequent places on campus, and review protocols for each location to determine an individualized plan.

d. The Impacts of Extreme Weather Events on People with Disabilities is a helpful resource.

e. Discussion about the need for clear and timely university-wide communication and guidance to avoid putting disabled students and staff at a disadvantage in these emergency situations.

f. Discussion about the continuing issue of air quality.

g. Suggestion that UCOD advocate for air purifiers, N95 masks, more transportation shuttles to limit exposure.

h. Suggestion that UCOD generate a list of people with cars to develop a care web.

5. Evacuation chairs (MG, 5 mins)

a. Michael has been investigating different models of evacuation chairs and advocating for UCLA’s purchase of them for years. Pauley Pavilion currently has one.

b. In the future, evacuation chairs will be put in every building due to a directive from President Drake.

6. Meeting with Julio Frenk (TL, 5 mins)

a. UCOD leadership could meet with Chancellor Frenk to introduce the committee and our purpose.

b. Questions about the reporting structure for the committee potentially changing with the new Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence–this is still tbd.

7. Election information (CL, 7 mins)

a. Tabled to next meeting.

8. Preview of Disability Course in Bruin Learn for Faculty and TAs (TL, 5 mins)

a. Tabled to next meeting.

9. Recruitment of people for UCOD (Everyone, 5 mins)

a. Tabled to next meeting.

10. Department updates (5 mins)

a. Career Center is creating a workshop for students with disabilities navigating the graduate and professional school process. Scheduled for February 25th, 4pm-6pm, via Zoom. If anyone is interested in contributing, please contact Sanaz.

11. End general session at 3:15 for closed door vote

12. Closed door session for voting members (10-15 mins)

a. Travis will start a Google doc draft and will send to voting members to contribute.