Mission and Bylaws

The name of this committee is Disability Access and Design.

The Commission on Disability Access and Design’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 Commission on Disability Access and Design’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 Commission on Disability Access and Design (hereinafter referred to “CDAD”) are to broaden the university community’s understanding and appreciation of the needs of individuals with disabilities and the benefits of Universal Design in addressing the needs of all members of the university community.

Section 3.2.
CDAD 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.
CDAD serves in an advisory capacity to the NAU administration, including the Office of the President, the Equity and Access Office, in matters pertaining to individuals with disabilities. CDAD shall have the responsibility of examining and recommending policies, practices, and programs which affect such individuals in the NAU community

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 for CDAD membership. Membership is requested by submitting an email indicating the desire to become a member to one of the current co-chairs. Members are expected to attend the monthly membership meetings on a regular basis. Members who attend no meetings in one calendar year may be removed from membership by a vote of the full Commission.

Non-NAU community members are welcome to participate in CDAD meetings in a non-voting capacity.

Membership in CDAD will be indefinite as far as members meet the provisions in Article 4, Section 4.1.

Section 5.1. Committee of all members

This committee consists of all members who meet the provisions of Article 4, Section 4.1.  This committee is the main decision-making body of the CDAD. The committee holds regular monthly meetings to deliberate and vote on issues brought to it by the CDAD chairs, the CDAD 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, excepting bylaws (see Article 10).

Section 5.2. CDAD Executive Committee
Subsection 5.2.1. Membership of the Executive Committee
The CDAD Executive Committee shall consist of not more than 7 elected members including the two co-chairs of the CDAD.

Subsection 5.2.2.  Election of the Executive Committee
Executive Committee members will be elected by the general CDAD membership at one of its Spring monthly meetings for a one-year term.

Section 5.3. CDAD Co-Chairs
Subsection 5.3.1. Qualifications of a Co-chair Candidate
The CDAD shall have two co-chairs. A nominee for a CDAD co-chair must meet the provisions of Article 4, Section 4.1.  In addition, the nominee must have been an active member of the CDAD for one year and be committed to the CDAD and its mission.

Subsection 5.3.2. Representation and election of co-chairs
Each co-chair will be elected for a two year term by the Commission membership. 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 CDAD leadership at all times. The new term begins in July following the election. When possible, co-chairs will be from different constituencies (e.g. a faculty co-chair and a staff co-chair).

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. Co-chairs may also resign, thus needing for replacement chair(s) to be selected by voting members at the next regularly scheduled CDAD meeting.

Section 5.4. Specific CDAD Committees
The CDAD committee of all members and the Executive Committee may designate regular and ad hoc committees to perform specific functions of importance to the CDAD.

Section 6.1. Responsibilities of the CDAD Co-chairs
The CDAD co-chairs will be responsible for scheduling meetings, preparing meeting agendas and presiding over both the committee of all members and the CDAD 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 CDAD in dealings with NAU officials and other university organizations. The co-chairs are also responsible for ensuring that all CDAD committees perform their assignments on a timely and expedient manner.  

Section 6.2. Responsibilities of the Executive Committee
The CDAD Executive Committee is collectively charged by the CDAD membership to execute all CDAD business in accordance with the provisions stated in these bylaws and as resolved in meetings of the committee of all members and the Executive Committee itself. The Executive Committee is also charged to deliberate on new or existing CDAD business and bring its decisions to the committee of all members as seconded motions for deliberation and vote. The Executive Committee will be responsible for CDAD operational functions such as membership, marketing, budget, education and training, and drafting of an annual summary of CDAD activities. The Executive Committee may delegate those duties as needed.

General membership in the CDAD may be indefinite as stated in Article 4, Section 4.2. The co-chairs may serve two consecutive two-year terms. In extreme cases, if no other members are willing or available to be considered for the co-chair position, the executive committee may install the outgoing co-chair for a third term. Co-chairs may run for their respective office one year after their term expires. Members in the other CDAD committees may serve indefinitely as long as they discharge their duties in accordance with these bylaws and as directed by the CDAD and its Executive Committee.

Section 8.1. Regular Meetings
The committee of all members will usually have one regular meeting a month during the academic year. Alternate means of attendance may be arranged by request. The Executive Committee will meet no less than one time per semester and once over the summer.

Section 8.2. Special Meetings
Special meetings of all CDAD members or the Executive Committee may be called 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 one week 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 CDAD co-chairs or another CDAD member as appointed by the co-chairs.

Section 8.5. Proxies
Any CDAD 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 CDAD before the voting deadline.

Section 8.6. Quorum

A Quorum for transaction of business at any Commission meeting shall consist of seven voting members. A quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Executive Committee shall consist of a simple majority of the committee members.

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, the co-chair not presiding over the meeting shall have a second or deciding vote.

Section 8.8. Presumption of Assent
Commission and committee members cannot stay silent at meetings and later object to the action(s) taken. A member present at a commission or committee meeting will be presumed to have agreed to the action(s) taken unless the member objects at the meeting and the objection is noted in the minutes.

The CDAD 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 CDAD activities that promote diversity on the NAU campus.

These CDAD bylaws may be altered, amended, supplemented, repealed, or new bylaws adopted, by a two-third majority vote of the CDAD members present at a regular monthly meeting. All members must be informed of the proposed amendments and notified of the vote at least 14 days before the meeting date.