UCLA Committee on Disability / UCOD Meeting Notes (September 9, 2025)

UCOD Meeting Notes (September 9, 2025)

UCOD Meeting
September 9, 2025 / 2PM / Zoom

Attendees

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

Absent:
Yasamin Bolourian

Guests:
Roxas, Jennifer Arnold, Rob Diaz, Jameil Johnson, Brandie Kirkpatrick, Marissa Klymkiw, Ariella Morrison, Spencer Scruggs

Agenda

1. Intros (MG, 8 mins)

2. Disability Pride Week Updates (Everyone)

a. Kick-off party and UCOD meeting: Tuesday October 14th. Bruin Plaza has been booked. Set-up will be at 10am, clean-up will be at 1pm. There are 12 tables. One table is still available if any departments/groups want to table- contact Travis if so.

b. Current budget is $1,000 from OARC. CAE may have some funds available.

c. Wheelchair basketball: Tuesday, October 14th.

d. Library display and zine making event: Wednesday, October 15th at 3pm-5pm. Powell or YRL.

e. CAE open house. Wednesday, October 15th, 11am-2pm.

f. Yasamin leading a faculty training for neurodivergent students in STEM: Thursday, October 16th, 3pm.

g. DCP Disability Culture Training: Thursday, October 16th, 11am-12pm.

h. Sensory-friendly job fair in Pauley Pavilion: Tuesday, October 14th.

i. Early access for the job fair is for disabled students and other specific student populations from 3pm-4pm.

ii. Discussion about how/if to cross-market with DPW. Discussion of having an RSVP in advance or specific signage. Discussion of the importance of eliminating barriers for disabled students and communicating the purpose of the event. Concerns expressed about collecting student info. Emphasis placed on making the entire event accessible in future.

i. Movie screening?

i. Suggestions: A Beautiful Mind, Crip Camp (screened at a previous DPW), CODA, Rising Phoenix, Deaf President Now.

1. If screening Deaf President Now, contact Ben Lewis in advance. Suggestion to solicit Nile DiMarco as a guest speaker.

ii. Suggestion to feature a film with authentic casting.

iii. Suggestion to screen episode(s) of TV.

iv. Thursday or Friday evening would be ideal.

v. CAE may have access to space on the hill.

j. DCP is offering a culture and sports talk on Friday.

k. Cate volunteers to handle the T&E expense report.

3. Department updates (All)

a. CAE: The program review will be shared publicly in fall. There will be opportunities for engagement with implementation of the review. Undergoing renovation currently-will provide more study space. Working on relaunching CAE Connect on a different platform.

b. Digital accessibility efforts are moving forward. Anyone can make public comment on the new policy.

c. Career Services: Workforce Recruitment Program application deadline is October 10th.

Action Items

  1. Sylvia will book a space for the library event and update Travis.
  2. Spencer will ask about space on the hill for screening, inquire about licensing and potential speaker options.
  3. Brandie will ask Vice Provost Ralina Joseph if she would like to be involved with/make a statement at any of the programming.
  4. Sanaz will circulate the Workforce Recruitment Program flyer to the listserv.