In this Issue:

• Disability Access and Inclusion Events and Resources
• Come Visit Us at the Disability Resource Center (DRC)
• Meet Our New DRC Program Assistant
• Register for the Disability Justice Book Group
• Applications Open for the Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program
• Save-the-Date: Spill the Disabili-Tea Workshops with Alex Locust aka Glamputee
• Spotlight on Amy Hyams: Chancellor's Awards for Diversity (Recipient of the Disability Service Award)

• Digital Accessibility Corner
• New Title II Ruling
• UCSF Digital Accessibility Resources

• UCSF Resources and Opportunities
• BRAB project installing vehicle gate at the entrance to Koret & ADA Parking
• Research Accessibility Consultations
• Check out the New COPE 2.0 Tool
• Register for the Virtual Veterans Job Fair
• Masking Requirement in Patient Care Areas Starting Nov 1st, 2024

Come Visit Us at the Disability Resource Center

Located on the Parnassus Millberry Union Campus, the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is a dedicated space for disabled students, staff, faculty, and their allies to build community and explore disability identity and culture.

All are welcome in our space! We have tea, coffee, and comfy seating!

Disability Resource Center Community Lounge Hours:

• Open Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Fridays virtual
• All are welcome in our space
• For more information, contact Cecile.Puretz@ucsf.edu

Location: 500 Parnassus, Millberry Union 102 West

Meet Our New DRC Program Assistant

We want to formally introduce our new Disability Resource Center (DRC) Program Assistant charged with supporting our learners, faculty, and staff and enhancing our program and resources offered through the DRC!

Disability Justice Book Group

Upcoming Book: Disability Visibility: First-Person Narratives from the Twenty-First Century, Edited by Alice Wong

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

4:00 PM- 5:00 PM

Location: In-Person

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

500 Parnassus Ave

Millberry Union 102 West

Register: tiny.ucsf.edu/kTf1ID

Join us for a new series of Disability Justice Pop-Up Library events aimed at raising awareness about the perspectives and lived experiences of people with disabilities. Come visit the Disability Resource Center to pick up a free book and join a discussion group with other students. Light refreshments will be available!

We will be discussing the following book:

• Disability Visibility: First-Person Narratives from the Twenty-First Century, Edited by Alice Wong

Disability Visibility by Alice Wong is a collection of essays by people with disabilities that aims to make disability identities visible and advocate for representation. The book includes a variety of writing styles (essays, poetry, interviews, fiction, and podcasts). It features stories from people with a range of disabilities, including those that are visible and invisible, in addition to people of color, trans, queer, and Indigenous backgrounds. The essays cover a wide range of topics, including relationships, disability activism, social media, and the legal system while also exploring how disability intersects with other aspects of identity, such as religion.

This event is produced in partnership with UCSF Basic Needs for Students. Basic Needs connects students to critical on- and off-campus resources and provides educational opportunities for students to take personal responsibility for their wellness.

Accessibility: UCSF welcomes everyone, including people with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Cecile Puretz by emailing Cecile.Puretz@ucsf.edu as soon as possible.

UCSF endeavors to create greater understanding and supports the exchange of diverse ideas. Views and opinions of guest speakers on campus are their own and may not reflect the perspective of the University.

The Office of Disability Access and Inclusion is excited to announce the launch of our Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program for the 2025 cycle. This highly-anticipated 5-month program aims to empower UCSF event planners with the skills and knowledge for planning accessible in-person, remote, and hybrid events.

Learn More: Accessible Event Champion Website

Program Overview:

• The Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program is open to all UCSF Health and Campus staff and faculty with experience managing events at UCSF (i.e., conferences, meetings, events, outreach activities, etc.).
• UCSF staff who have experience in any capacity supporting access and inclusion for people with disabilities.
• The selection committee encourages applications from those with a commitment to service and leadership relating to intersectional identities (disability, racial/ethnic, gender, LGBTQIA+ status, and others).

Program Format and Length

• Five (5) 90min virtual training sessions January – May 2025 (7.5 hours).
• Approx. 3-4 hours of independent learning in between sessions (i.e., required readings, capstone project production).

Apply for the Accessible Event Champion Certificate Program - Cycle 2025

Application Process: Submit your application by December 20, 2024 to be considered for the 2025 cohort: https://tiny.ucsf.edu/Y8iFNg

Accessibility: UCSF welcomes everyone, including people with disabilities to our events. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Cecile.Puretz@ucsf.edu or calling 415-806-7391 as soon as possible.

Learn More: Accessible Event Champion Website

UCSF’s popular Community Wellbeing Grants program returns for its fourth year with 15 new projects expected to impact staff, faculty, and learners across the university community.

The UCSF Disability Resource Center (DRC) is excited to announce that it is the recipient of the Community Wellbeing Grant for the FY 25 grant cycle!

Save-the-Date for 2025 Workshop Series:

• Spill the Disabili-Tea Disability Justice Workshop Series with disability justice educator, Alex Locust aka Glamputee.
• A series of 3 hybrid workshops for UCSF students and employees introducing participants to the foundations of Disability Justice.
• Offered at the Office of Diversity and Outreach (ODO) Mission Bay and Parnassus locations.

Learn More: Check out the FY2025 Winning Grant Projects

What is disability justice and its relationship to racial justice? What is ableism? What is the difference between access and inclusion?

These and other complex questions will be explored in these Spill the Disabili-Tea workshops with Alex Locust, a Black biracial, queer, disability justice educator, activist, and “Glamputee” who celebrates the harmony of his identities to help create the world we all want to see.

Alex Locust will guide participants through key aspects of disability justice, including the movement’s history, the impact of ableism and microaggressions, and actionable strategies for fostering inclusivity at UCSF.

Learning Goals:

• Build a strong foundational understanding of disability justice.
• Learn practical techniques to foster accessible and inclusive spaces.
• Engage in meaningful self and community reflection to deepen your commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

Save the Dates:

• Wed, Feb 5, 12:00-1:30pm (Parnassus, Millberry Union 102)
• Wed, Feb 12, 12:00-1:30pm (Mission Bay, Office of Diversity and Outreach, Gene Friend Way)
• Wed, Feb 26, 12:00-1:30pm (Parnassus, Millberry Union 102)

Questions?

Email Cecile.Puretz@ucsf.edu, additional details will be shared in an upcoming issue of the Disability Allies Newsletter.

Chancellor's Awards for Diversity Recipients

UCSF has announced the recipients of the 2024 Chancellor Awards for Diversity. These awards honor and celebrate members of our UCSF community for their dedication to building bridges, dismantling barriers, and creating spaces of innovation and connection on campus and in our communities.

The Office of Disability Access and Inclusion congratulates Amy Hyams for being the recipient of the prestigious Chancellor's Awards for Disability Service.

Each year this award recognizes and honors three individuals at UCSF—one faculty, one staff, one student/resident/postdoctoral scholar—who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and service in furthering the goal of enhancing accessibility of the physical, social, educational, clinical, administrative and virtual environment while promoting accommodation and full inclusion of people with disabilities within the UCSF community, beyond the scope of their job, area of research, or training.

Watch Amy Hyams Video (click "CC" to access the captioned video)

Amy Hyams (she/her)

Chancellor Award for Disability Service

Part of the UCSF Health patient experience team, Amy is hailed for creating a welcoming and supportive health care environment for patients, especially caring for and removing barriers for people with disabilities. 

Learn More: 2024 Recipients of the Chancellor's Awards for Diversity (click "CC" to access the captioned videos)

New ADA Title II Ruling

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) finalized the new rule to make websites ADA accessible for people with disabilities. This date is important because, in two years, April 24, 2026, is the deadline for compliance.

Two important takeaways

1. Technical standards for compliance are Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.
2. Site owners are responsible for making their site(s) and applications WCAG 2.1 AA compliant by April 24, 2026, and maintaining compliance thereafter.

Official Links

ADA Title II New Ruling: Fact Sheet

New Rule on the Accessibility of Web Content and Mobile Apps Provided by State and Local Governments. This web page from ADA.gov contains highlights of the requirements, a summary of the exceptions, and more.

Official Federal Register Rule

“Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability; Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities.” This 289-page PDF is the long-form ruling from the ADA.

UCSF Digital Accessibility Resources

Check out these links for more details on digital accessibility resources at UCSF:

• Digital Accessibility Office Hours: every 4th Wednesday, 9:00 to 9:50 a.m. 
• Testing Websites with Users with Disabilities: every 2nd Wednesday, 9:00am to 10:30 a.m.
• Digital Accessibility Consultations for Online Content: Guidance with accessibility reviews of your UCSF webpages, websites, web applications and other digital content with the goal of identifying and remediating barriers to content.

BRAB project installing vehicle gate at the entrance to Koret & ADA Parking



Koret Gate

BRAB project is installing access control, via an automatic gate with arm, at the entrance to Koret Way. The gate arm will go into operation at the end of October and will be in operation till the end of the project approximately 2027.

Hotline

For those without access to the gate code, a hotline (510-279-8532) will be available.

• Please note that pedestrian access through this area will remain available. Additional information will be provided in construction updates and can be requested from BRAB or the construction logistics team.
• If your department/team requires vehicle access to Koret (area shown in orange in the map below), please reach out to the BRAB (BRAB@ucsf.edu) and Construction Logistics teams to obtain a gate code. 

Regular Operation:

• The gate will default to the closed position.
• The gate will operate utilizing a code and a 10-digit keypad located on the driver’s side. Gate codes will be provided to project and department teams that require access to Koret Way.
• To enter, the driver will enter the code, the gate will open, and the gate will close behind them.
• When leaving, a sensor will detect the vehicle, the gate will open, and the gate will close behind the vehicle.
• During high delivery times, the gate may be opened for an extended period (as directed by BRAB). During these times, the PRAB will station a traffic controller (Flagger) at the gate to control access.
• Vehicles without the operating code can request access via a hotline number provided on signage located adjacent to the gate.

Emergency Operation:

• UCPD and Emergency services will be provided with a gate code for access
• During an emergency BRAB will open gate for extended period as directed by emergency teams 

UCSF HR People Wellness has launched the Cope 2.0 Program - a program designed to provide mental health and well-being support and resources to UCSF faculty, staff, trainees, and their family members.

The Cope Program uses a simple, confidential, and interactive Digital Health Tool that is available in English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Spanish, and Russian to connect current UCSF faculty, staff, trainees, and their family members with a wide array of mental health and well-being support services, and the support of a Cope Program Navigator to assist in connecting individuals to resources and services.

For information about UCSF Cope, access the Cope Digital Health Tool:

• Text "@Cope" to 1-833-319-1084
• Scan the QR code in the image above

Research Accessibility Consultations

CTSI is offering free Research Accessibility consultations aiming to ensure disability access for research participants. Researchers and Clinical Research Coordinators can get advice on responding to reasonable accommodation requests from participants or potential participants during screening or study visits.

Learn more: Research Accessibility Consultations website

Contact: Ctsi.Consulting@ucsf.edu

• Get advice on responding to reasonable accommodation requests from participants or potential participants during screening or study visits. [Please note: CTSI does not approve and facilitate accommodations requests, however consultation is available. Access is the responsibility of the research unit.] 

• Please ensure individuals with disabilities are not screened out due to their disability (either the condition being studied or another condition), and/or screened out due to need for reasonable accommodations. Please submit a CTSI Consultation Services intake form prior to denying accommodations whenever possible.

Virtual Veterans Job Fair

UCSF is hosting its annual Virtual Veterans Job Fair on Nov. 14 from 1-4 p.m. At this virtual event, attendees can network with UCSF recruiters, hiring managers and community partners focused on serving veterans.

Help spread the word and share with your networks – all are invited to attend.

Register for Virtual Veterans Job Fair

Accessibility: UCSF welcomes everyone, including people with disabilities to our events. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Chhaya Chaudhari by emailing Chhaya.Chaudhari@ucsf.edu as soon as possible.

Face masking for all staff involved in direct patient care will resume Friday, November 1, and will continue through April 30, 2025. ‌This policy coincides with respiratory virus season and aligns with guidelines from our local and state public health departments.

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‌Masks will be required across all UCSF Health sites in areas where direct patient care is delivered and where patients are seen, evaluated or treated. Signs will be posted throughout our facilities, and masks will be provided at our sites. While this requirement applies to staff and providers only, masking is still strongly recommended for patients and visitors.

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‌Please contact your supervisor or infection prevention team if you have any questions and refer to these FAQs as needed. In accordance with state and federal law along with UC policy, we will support disability-related accommodations, and patients/visitors may reach out to UCSF Patient Relations at (415) 353-1936 or patient.relations@ucsf.edu to request accommodation.