March 25, 2021

University Accessibility Committee

March 25^th, 2021 – Meeting Minutes

3:00 pm to 4:15 pm

Attendees: David Short, Donna Meeks, Jeff Bell, Kash Cox, Rachel Hoover, Shawn Grey, Shellie Richter, Canaan Daniels, Charla Pate, Stacie Granger, Quentin Bellard, Kelli Morris, Zachary Dubuisson.

Discussion:

• What does accessibility mean to you?
• What are some current ways that your department, classroom, dorm, house, office, computer support accessibility? (it can be one or more areas)
• What has been your experience with disability? Good or bad, why?

Key highlights

• Important to provide physical and communication access for commencement ceremonies including other aspects such as parking and individual accommodation request
• Challenging dealing with older buildings and providing accommodations due to outdated building set up
• Important for all employees to be able to participate in all university-sponsored activities and events. By doing this creates a positive difference for the university.
• Important for the university to provide access to websites, people who are colorblind, contrast options, provide large monitors, and amplifiers.
• Departments must work to create an inviting, engaging, and safe space for students with disabilities. Helpful things one department has purchased an Ubi-duo, flexible furniture, and ensuring that there are closed captions for videos/media.
• Accessibility means being able to accomplish the same task at the same time but possibly in a different manner. Mental health assessments and counselors support students with disabilities on campus.
• Staff and faculty must be aware of allergies, and when buying technology understand the complexity of ensuring the product is accessible, including the impact on the individual or audience.
• Support for student events and knowledge of accommodations including needing students with disabilities to attend more things on campus needs to be improved.
• Interpreters for songs or music live events

Meeting concluded with closing remarks on asking every committee member to attend the upcoming Texas workforce commission Disability training on April 21^st and 22^nd virtually.