Access 2020

Developing a Transition Plan and Self-Evaluation for UC Berkeley

Image credit:
Keegan Houser

Welcome to Access 2020!

At UC Berkeley, we strive to:

  • create a university environment universally accessible to all regardless of their relative level of ability;
  • honour the University’s critical role in the history of the Disability Rights Movement and build on the efforts of those past disability advocates; and
  • search for opportunities to engage the campus in embracing equitable and inclusive practices encompassing the broadest spectrum of disabilities.

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA), the University has engaged a consulting firm, Sally Swanson Architects, to evaluate accessibility in the built environment, as well as the accessibility of the University’s programs, services and activities. This evaluation, conducted pursuant to disability-related standards and best practices, is still a work in progress. But to ensure maximum engagement and input from those we serve, the University's Disability Access & Compliance Team and Sally Swanson Architects are holding a series of virtual Town Halls.

These events will offer a brief update on the evaluation, and provide attendees the opportunity to ask questions. Additionally, all attendees are invited to complete this short survey regarding their experience of disability and accessibility at UC Berkeley.

For a complete list of all upcoming virtual Town Halls, please click on the "Get Involved" link above. Thank you! 

ADA Transition Plan

SSA worked closely with the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) to perform physical barrier surveys within the University’s facilities and throughout the campus exterior. There are four major components of an ADA Transition Plan. The first part is to identify existing physical barriers within the UCB. Second, solutions are proposed to mitigate any barriers that are identified. Third, is to create a schedule or plan for barrier mitigation, which shows and tracks all the effort UCB applies towards the mitigation process. The last part of the Transition Plan is to appoint an UCB official...

Self-Evaluation

As part of the ADA Transition Plan, UCB performed a Self-Evaluation of the accessibility of its programs, services and activities. This Self-Evaluation was be conducted from both a proactive and reactive perspective. This means that UCB examined its proactive accessibility efforts in its interactions with the public, its students, and all faculty and staff; and UCB also looked at ways to improve existing reactive processes when grievances or concerns regarding accessibility and/or reasonable accommodations are raised.