The Disability Access and Design Committee’s vision is a university community free from physical and attitudinal barriers to services, programs and activities through Universal Design. In furtherance of its vision, the Disability Access and Design Committee’s mission is to collaborate with the university community to create a welcoming, supportive and inclusive university environment. The committee supports and reaffirms NAU’s stated commitment to affirmative action and diversity.
Section 3.1.
The primary objectives of the Disability Access and Design Committee (hereinafter referred to “DADC”) are to broaden the university community’s understanding and appreciation of the needs of individuals with disabilities and the benefits of Universal Design in accommodating the needs of all members of the university community.
Section 3.2. DADC is comprised of individuals from the NAU community. We are bound by the common interest of promoting mutual respect, fairness, equity of opportunity and improving campus climate, access and support for individuals with disabilities.
Section 3.3. DADC serves in an advisory capacity to the NAU administration, including the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, in matters pertaining to individuals with disabilities. DADC shall have the responsibility of examining and recommending policies, practices, and programs which affect such individuals in the NAU community
Article 4. Membership of the Committee
Section 4.1. Regular Voting Members
All NAU employees and students who agree with the provisions of Article 2, and sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 of Article 3 are eligible to apply for DADC membership. Members are expected to attend the monthly membership meetings on a regular basis. Members who foresee missing more than three regular monthly meetings in one year because of scheduling and other conflicts should excuse themselves from being a regular voting member of DADC for that semester or year unless they have joined a subcommittee of DADC and can attend the subcommittee’s meetings. Members who attend no meetings in one year may be removed from membership.
Section 4.2. Terms of Membership
Membership in DADC will be indefinite as far as members meet the provisions in Article 4, Section 4.1.
Article 5. Organizational Structure
This committee consists of all members who meet the provisions of Article 4, Section 4.1 and 4.1.2. This committee is the main decision-making body of the DADC. The committee holds regular monthly meetings to deliberate and vote on issues brought to it by the DADC chairs, the DADC Executive Committee and other items scheduled for deliberation and/or vote by the committee. Items for deliberation may also be added to the agenda during any meeting by those attending, or through written communication. A simple majority vote of those present at a meeting is required for passing or failing a resolution moved and supported for a vote.
Section 5.2. DADC Executive Committee
Subsection 5.2.1. Membership of the Executive Committee
The DADC Executive Committee shall consist of not more than 7 elected members including the two co-chairs of the DADC.
Subsection 5.2.2. Election of the Executive Committee
With the exception of the initial election, Executive Committee members will be elected by the general DADC membership at one of its monthly meetings for a three-year term. Nominations and elections for open positions will be held each spring. For the initial election, members will be elected for staggered terms. One-third of the committee will be elected for a term of one year. One-third of the committee will be elected for a term of two years. The remaining members will be elected for a term of three years.
Section 5.3. DADC Co-Chairs
Subsection 5.3.1. Qualifications of a Co-chair Candidate
The DADC shall have two co-chairs. A nominee for a DADC co-chair must meet the provisions of Article 4, Section 4.1. In addition, the nominee must have been an active member of the DADC for one year and demonstrated his/her commitment to the DADC and its mission.
Each co-chair will be elected for a two year term by the Executive Committee membership in one of its monthly meetings. Nomination and election for one co-chair will be held in February every even year while the election for the other co-chair will be held in February every odd year. This staggered election of the co-chairs ensures continuity and experienced DADC leadership at all times.
Subsection 5.3.3. Termination of a Co-chair’s Duty
A co-chair (or co-chairs) may be formally asked to step down by a majority vote of no confidence from the general DADC members for ethical or professional misconduct. Co-chairs may also resign, thus needing for replacement chair(s) to be selected by voting members.
The DADC committee of all members and the Executive Committee may designate regular and ad hoc committees to perform specific functions of importance to the DADC. The names and responsibilities of the current committees are described under Article 6, Section 6.3.
Article 6. Responsibilities of Officers and Committees
Section 6.1. Responsibilities of the DADC Co-chairs
The DADC co-chairs will be responsible for scheduling meetings, preparing meeting agendas and presiding over both the committee of all members and the DADC Executive Committee regularly scheduled and any special meetings. In their absence, the co-chairs may appoint any one of the Executive Committee members to chair a meeting (or meetings). The co-chairs are charged with executing the decisions of both the committee of all members and the Executive Committee as well as representing the DADC in dealings with NAU officials and other university organizations. The co-chairs are also responsible for ensuring that all DADC subcommittees perform their assignments on a timely and expedient manner.
Section 6.2. Responsibilities of the Executive Committee
The DADC Executive Committee is collectively charged by the DADC membership to execute all DADC business in accordance with the provisions stated in these byl
Section 6.3. Responsibilities of the Standing Committees
The following are the standing committees of the DADC. Other committees will be added or eliminated as and when deemed necessary by the DADC. These committees will at least one meeting each semester and report on their work at the general meeting of the DADC. Standing committees may be composed of members of the DADC as well as other members deemed appropriate by the standing committee chair.
Subsection 6.3.1. Physical Access Committee
This committee is charged with collecting, reviewing, prioritizing, and advocating for physical access dimensions of compliance and Universal Design. This includes working closely with Capital Assets for physical access projects - both re- and pro-actively.
Subsection 6.3.2. Programmatic, Academic and Technology Access Committee
This committee is charged with developing ideas, strategies and tactics to assist NAU in meeting its obligation to provide accessible programs and content and working with the university community to promote disability issues in curricular development and academic programming. The committee is also responsible for updating the DADC webpage.
Article 7. Terms of Office
General membership in the DADC may be indefinite as stated in Article 4, Section 4.2. The Executive Committee members may only serve two years consecutively, whereas the co-chairs can serve only two consecutive terms at a time. The Executive Committee members and co-chairs may run for their respective offices one year after their term expires. Members in the other DADC committees may serve indefinitely as long as they discharge their duties in accordance with these byl
Article 8. Meetings
Section 8.1. Regular Meetings
The committee of all members, the Executive Committee, and the subcommittees shall each have one regular meeting a month during the academic year. Alternate means of attendance, such as phone, video-conference other means, may be arranged with the respective committee chair. The meetings shall be scheduled by the Co-chairs of the DADC such that the Executive Committee and subcommittees meets one or two weeks before the general meeting of all members.
Section 8.2. Special Meetings
Special meetings of all DADC members or the Executive Committee may be called upon at any time by the co-chairs to address special issues of immediate importance or other matters.
Section 8.3. Meeting Notice
The co-chairs shall provide e-mail, written, or verbal notices of the time, and place of the meeting to committee members at least two weeks before the planned meeting date.
Section 8.4. Organization and Conduct of Meetings
Each meeting of the committee of all members or the Executive Committee shall be called to order by one or both of the DADC co-chairs, or another DADC member as appointed by the co-chairs.
Section 8.5. Proxies
Any DADC member entitled to vote may cast a vote by proxy at any time. A proxy should be sent in writing to the co-chairs of the DADC before the voting deadline.
Section 8.6. Quorum
A quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Executive Committee shall consist of a simple majority of the committee members. Any number of members of the committee of all members present in a regularly scheduled meeting constitutes the quorum for that meeting.
Section 8.7. Voting
All matters submitted to a meeting of the committee of all members or the Executive Committee in which a quorum has been formed shall be resolved by simple majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie vote, one of the co-chairs (sitting to the right of the other) shall have a second or deciding vote.
Section 8.8. Presumption of Assent
A committee or committee member who is present at a meeting of his/her committee will be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his or her dissent is entered in the minutes of the meeting, or unless he or she files a written dissent to such action with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment, or forwards his or her dissent by registered or certified mail (if the member is in a different place) to the secretary within two business days after the adjournment of the meeting. A right to dissent will not be available to a committee or committee member who voted in favor of the action.
Article 9. Budget
The DADC operates through financial and in kind support from the NAU President’s Office for purchasing office materials, correspondence, and special project costs. The latter might include funding for transportation and honoraria for speakers or other DADC activities that promote diversity on the NAU campus.
Article 10. Amendments to the By-L
These DADC bylaws may be altered, amended, supplemented, repealed, or new byl
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