Provost Laurie McCauley has announced the formation of a new Provost’s Advisory Committee on Disability Affairs (PACDA), marking a significant step toward improving campus accessibility and support for the disability community.

The committee, which emerged from extensive community consultations held throughout summer 2024,will focus on the experiences and needs of faculty and staff in the disability community. Its primary focus will be advising the provost on education, policies, and procedures related to disability affairs.

“We want to ensure we’re taking a proactive approach to disability support,” said Provost McCauley. “That means hearing directly from a broadly representative group that knows the issues and brings fresh perspectives. I’m very excited about this committee’s potential to make an impact.”

The committee will meet with the provost 4-6 times per year and will be called upon to provide input on education, policies, and procedures related to disability affairs, share collective issues and concerns with university leadership, address emerging issues and situations affecting the disability community, act as a partner to the Provost on matters concerning disability-related concerns, issues, and affairs, and develop and prioritize actionable recommendations to promote equity, access, and inclusion for the disability community at U-M.

Members will serve two-year terms, with staggered service periods to maintain continuity.

Key priorities identified during community consultations include improving support for caregivers, aligning disability leave policies with peer institutions, and implementing accommodations across departments.

The initiative will complement, rather than replace, existing disability access work conducted by various units, including the Disability Equity Office within the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office (ECRT). 

The committee’s first meeting was held in late January.