UCLA Committee on Disability / UCOD Meeting Notes (July 8, 2025)

UCOD Meeting Notes (July 8, 2025)

UCOD Meeting
July 8, 2025 / 2PM / Zoom

Attendees

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

Absent:
Nicholas Shinghal

Guests:
Monic Clare, Jameil Johnson, Supriya K., Brandie Kirkpatrick, Yonit Kovnator, Ariella Morrison, Jennifer Miyaki, Spencer Scruggs

Agenda

1. Intros (MG, 7 mins)

2. Scooter obstruction update (MG and CL, 8 mins)

a. Ongoing concerns around personal electric scooters blocking accessible ramps and pathways

b. Michael met with Seppy Seplow and Yonit to escalate concerns.

c. Recent development: laminated signs to notify scooter owners of blocking access. There is a reported anecdotal decrease in scooter violations.

3. Final review: Emergency Plan for Disabled Bruins (TL, 15 mins)

a. Review the sections on Transportation, Shelters, and Emergency Ramps. There are remaining questions on these topics in the document in the margins.

b. CAE and DMS will be managing individualized emergency evacuation plans as part of a UC-wide process. Spencer will solicit feedback from UCOD and other stakeholders. Timeline to roll out the formal process is TBD. In the meantime, students can ask CAE for meetings to discuss their IEEPs.

c. Every building at UCLA will have evacuation chairs, however first responders will likely use their own chairs and protocol.

4. Topics for Vice Provost Ralina Joseph (TL, 15 mins)

a. Accessibility lawsuit and historical context

b. Digital accessibility and ADA Title II compliance

c. Graduate student accommodations

d. CAE staffing concerns

e. Disability Cultural Center proposal

f .Support for TAs

g. UCLA’s role in LA 2028 Paralympics

h. Emergency planning

i. Mental health support and training for staff

5. Disability Pride Week planning (TL, 15 mins)

a. Launch party date (Oct 6, 14, or 21- aiming for the 14th)

b. ~$7K available in funds. Could be used for swag.

c. Adaptive sports demos, Disability Cultural Training (DCP)

d. If anyone is interested in programming or has guest speaker suggestions, contact Travis and Michael

6. Department updates (All, 10 mins)

7. End general session at 3:15

8. Closed door voting members session

a. Committee votes to approve final Emergency Evacuation Plan draft for submission to ADA office.

Action Items

  1. Travis will reach out to CAPS to solicit interest in joining UCOD.
  2. Travis will reach out to Antonio at CPO to gauge dates for DPW.