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Disabilities Advisory Committee

Version 1, August 2024 

Preamble 

The Disabilities Advisory Committee for the York University School of Medicine is being established to provide advice, guidance and support to the development of the new medical school and a proposed undergraduate Bachelor of Interprofessional Health (BIPH) using the lens of an individual with a disability.   This committee will provide its’ feedback to the following individuals: Dean of Record/Institutional Lead for the School; the Faculty Lead, Curriculum and Accreditation; Advisor, Curriculum and Accreditation; Advisor, Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) Curriculum and Operations; Advisor,Research; and the Co-Chair of the BIPH or delegate.  

Vision of the School 

York University’s School of Medicine will prepare the next generation of talented frontline primary care doctors — who represent the diversity of the communities in which they live — to not only thrive in a new, interprofessional, team-based health care environment but to continue to adapt to evolving patient, community and health system needs.  

Purpose 

The Disabilities Advisory Committee for the School is being established to provide constructive feedback, suggestions and recommendations on multiple aspects of the new medical school including admissions, curriculum, assessment, student supports, research and other aspects of the new medical school as well as the proposed undergraduate BIPHusing the lens of people with a disability.  

Term 

The Terms of Reference is effective from October 1, 2024 and will continue until October 1, 2025, after which they will be reviewed and revised, as appropriate. 

Membership 

Full members:  

  • Faculty Lead, Disability Community (Co-Chair) 
  • Disabilities representative (Co-Chair); to be determined by the committee 
  • One (1) Undergraduate medical student from the Canadian Association of Physicians with Disabilities 
  • One (1) Postgraduate Resident from the Canadian Association of Physicians with Disabilities 
  • Two (2) Physicians from the Canadian Association of Physicians with Disabilities 
  • Two (2) faculty members at York University with expertise in disabilities (e.g. Critical Disabilities Studies program) 
  • Two (2) representatives of the Division of Students at York University 

Ex-officio members: 

  • Faculty Lead, Curriculum and Accreditation 
  • Advisor, Curriculum and Accreditation 
  • Advisor, Research 
  • Co-Chair of the BIPH working group or delegate 
  • Advisor, UGME Curriculum and Operations 
  • Chair, Community Relations & Accountability Committee 

Supports 

  • UGME Operations Manager or Director, Transition Team for the School of Medicine 

Operations 

  • The Disabilities Advisory Committee will meet monthly or at the call of the Co-Chairs 
  • The meetings will be 90 minutes in duration  
  • Quorum will be 50% plus one of the committee members 
  • The term of the representatives is one year  
  • Meeting minutes reflecting the activity of the committee shall be recorded 
  • Committee members are expected to attend meetings or, if unable to do so, send advance notice of their absence. 
  • When one Co-Chair is not present, the other Co-Chair will chair the committee. 
  • Key parties of interest, such as advisors internal or external to York University, will be invited to attend on an as-needed basis 
  • The Disabilities Advisory Committee reports to the Dean of Record/Institutional Lead for the School and to the Community Relations & Accountability Committee. 

Committee Member Expectations 

  • Attend at least 75% of the meetings 
  • Prepare for meetings in advance 
  • Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner 
  • Solicit collegial input, as appropriate 

Roles and Responsibilities  

  • Using the lens of people with disabilities, provide inputs and constructive feedback on a variety of aspects of the new School, including: 
  • Curriculum 
  • Assessment 
  • Admissions 
  • Student support 
  • Research 
  • Using the lens of people with disabilities, provide inputs and feedback on policies and procedures within the School 
  • Provide recommendations on the proposed undergraduate Bachelor of Interprofessional Health (BIPH) program 
  • Provide suggestions of other individuals/organizations with whom the School should engage 
  • Consult with other individuals with a disability and/or organizations assisting those with disabilities as requested by the Co-chair