In alignment with our Focus URI 2023-2033 Strategic Plan to foster an inclusive, people-centered culture, URI created the Accessibility Task Force in Fall 2024. This cross-divisional task force provides an overarching structure to coordinate disability access and inclusion initiatives occurring across the University. By engaging campus constituents, task force members provide a community voice to help prioritize and address concerns, offer feedback on proposed projects, and communicate and champion disability access and inclusion efforts. The task force is not, however, an internal review board and is not charged with reviewing any of the responsible campus offices.
The task force includes undergraduate and graduate students appointed by the Student Senate and the Graduate Student Association, respectively, as well as faculty and staff representatives from admissions, capital projects, disability access and inclusion, human resources, information technology services, and the offices of equal opportunity and community, equity, and diversity. The task force convenes monthly during the academic year.
The task force plays a critical role not only in ensuring that perspectives and experiences of people with disabilities are centered in discussions and decisions about accessibility on campus, but also in sharing tangible actions that have been and will be taken to advance the priority of valuing and celebrating each member of the University community. The task force invites community input for future agenda items and welcomes your collective and collaborative engagement.
About
This committee is charged with reporting to the University Diversity Council. The Accessibility Task Force:
- Engages various University constituents and provides a community voice regarding prioritizing and addressing concerns identified by internal and external stakeholders, including the enforcement and regulatory agencies, within the context of approved state allocations.
- Proposes and promotes training sessions hosted by responsible campus offices.
- Recommends topics and guests for hosted educational programs and speaker series to increase knowledge and awareness of best practices in disability access, advocacy, and support for the entire campus community.
- Disseminates accurate information to the University community regarding accessibility initiatives and compliance efforts underway.
- Provides feedback on the effectiveness of proposed and implemented policies and initiatives. The task force is not, however, an internal review board and is not charged with reviewing the actions or work of any of the responsible campus offices.
- Communicates, champions, and celebrates campus accomplishments concerning disability access and inclusion initiatives.
The task force meets monthly during the academic year (September-May), and the task force co-chairs are appointed by the executive sponsors (Vice Presidents for Administration & Finance, Community, Equity & Diversity, and Student Affairs).
Task force members are selected by the executive sponsors and will reflect University representatives from the following areas:
- Office of Human Resources
- Information Technology Services
- Office of Enrollment Management
- Office of Capital Projects
- Office of Disability Access and Inclusion
- Office of Equal Opportunity
- One faculty member
- One undergraduate student (in consultation with the Student Senate)
- One graduate student (in consultation with the Graduate Student Association)
The executive sponsors and task force members may invite representatives from other academic and administrative units, as well as members of the university, local, or state communities, to participate as guests when appropriate.
Meetings
may 2025 april 2025 March 2025 february 2025 JAnuary 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024Upcoming Meetings
TBD
Contact
For questions, concerns, or inquiries, contact the task force at accessibility-task-force-group@uri.edu