The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

The UA President’s Disability Advisory Council strengthens the relationships between the University and the disability communities within the State of Arizona by serving as a communications conduit and by developing mutually-beneficial partnerships. Council members advise the President on matters of importance to disability communities as they relate to the University of Arizona.

Highlights of Council Accomplishments

• Recommended that University leadership participate in a presentation on disability in America in order to strengthen the UA’s capacity to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities.  A forum was offered for campus leadership in 2006.
• Advocated that the UA infuse principles of Universal Design into the Design Standards and Specifications Manual used by Facilities Design and Construction.  The Council’s recommendation was adopted.  The Manual now reflects an expanded and strengthened section on University standards for accessible design. This section provides technical specifications with regards to accessibility standards and guidance to designers to apply principles of Universal Design to both renovation projects and new construction plans.
• Encouraged the UA to provide live captioning at all University sports events.  Captioning is currently offered in the Arizona Stadium and McKale Center.

Select Council Interests and Initiatives

• Helping the UA reframe disability from a negative deficiency within an individual to a difference that stems from the interaction between the individual and the environment.  This reframed view recognizes that disability is an important part of diversity and brings a value-added richness to our educational environment.  Learn more about the new view of disability.
• Encouraging campus personnel to use the principles of Universal Design in their work.  Universal Design involves designing environments from the social, educational, to the physical in such a way that they are usable by all people with a broad array of differences.  In this model, accommodations would be unnecessary.
• Serving as a resource to help the UA infuse disability studies into the general education curriculum. 
• Providing support for the newly created Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies. 

Council Updates
Learn more about current events at the UA and access important messages from the Council.

Council Members
Review a list of the current Council members.

Stay Connected
We are committed to serving as a communications conduit between southern Arizona’s disability communities and the UA President. We also value and welcome your input.  Please email your questions, suggestions, or comments.  Contact us.

Note:  The Council accomplishments and interests/initiatives above are not an exhaustive list, but rather illustrative of the Council’s work.  The University of Arizona is indebted to Council members who so generously volunteer their time and talent in support of students.