Disability Action Plan Committee
The Disability Action Plan Committee (DAPC) assists the University to develop a coordinated and strategic approach to the implementation of the UTS Disability Action Plan (UTS DAP). The Committee has representatives from areas across the University, including staff and students with disabilities. It meets regularly to ensure that the objectives of the UTS DAP are integrated into all levels of the University's operations.
Membership
- Director, Equity and Diversity Unit (or nominee)
- Director, Institute for Interactive Multimedia and Learning (or nominee)
- University Librarian (or nominee)
- Director, Facilities Management Unit (or nominee for the Built Environment)
- Director, Facilities Management Unit (or nominee Manager, Security Services)
- Director Student Services Unit (or nominee Manager, Special Needs and Financial Assistance)
- Director, Human Resources Unit (or nominee specialist in staff recruitment)
- Director, Information Technology Division (or nominee from ITD)
- Director, Student Administration Unit (or nominee)
- One Staff member with a disability (nominee of Director, Equity & Diversity Unit)
- Two students with disabilities
- At least one representative of the ALO network (nominees of Convener ALO Network)
- Director, Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning (or nominee)
- Additional members may be coopted as required.
The Chair is nominated by the Director, Equity and Diversity Unit for a three-year term.
Membership takes into account the need for all UTS campuses to be represented.
At least one member of DAPC also attends Equity Reference Group.
All DAP Committee working groups enccourage representation from the ALO network, and also from people with disabilities.
Terms of Reference
The DAPC:
- Drives the implementation of the DAP 2003 - 2007
- Provides a forum for specialist unit staff, faculty representatives, Academic Liaison Officers and information technology, library and other areas of the University to collaborate to improve disability access at UTS
- Has established working groups to progress the priority areas of the DAP
- Liaises and monitors existing advisory groups related to the progression of the DAP
- Provides a forum where items related to the DAP can be raised, discussed and referred
- Meets at least twice per semester (more frequently if required)
- Requires a quorum of six members when passing motions
- Reports to the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice-President (Teaching, Learning & Equity), through the Director of Equity & Diversity Unit as required.
Minutes from the DAPC are forwarded to other key decision-making bodies of the University for their consideration and action as appropriate.
Working Groups
A number of working groups have been established under the DAPC to progress the implementation of the UTS DAP. These include:
- DAPC Teaching & Learning Working Group - responsible for progressing DAP recommendations related to teaching and learning issues, which include provision of alternative formats, learning and assessment adjustments, accessibility for postgraduate research students with disabilities, and computer literacy.
- DAPC Library Working Group - responsible for progressing DAP recommendations related to Library issues, which include ensuring Library services and resources are as accessible as possible to students with disabilities, addressing the special needs of students with a print disability, and consulting regularly with students with disabilities to identify and address access issues and service needs.
- DAPC Communications Working Group - responsible for progressing DAP recommendations which include the promotion of the DAP and its objectives to the university community, promotion of disability-related services, policies and programs, and disability awareness training for staff.
- Accessible Environments Advisory Group (AEAG) - responsible for progressing DAP recommendations related to access to the built environment, which include ensuring that all new facilities are designed to be accessible, providing remedial access works to existing facilities as required, and management of University infrastructure to achieve the highest degree of access possible.
- Accessible Information Technology Advisory Group (AITAG) (proposed) - to be responsible for progressing DAP recommendations related to computer and information technology resources.
All DAPC Working Groups encourage representation from the ALO network and from people with disabilities. If you would like to know more or are interested in participating, please contact the EDU Equity & Diversity Officer (Women and People with Disabilities Team).
