Faculty Resource Council on
Disability Model

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Determining the Composition and Role of the
Faculty Resource Council on Disability

UALR. Faculty Resource Council on Disability was comprised of the Chair of each academic department and, in most cases, one other faculty member from each department. In addition, key personnel from other departments were invited to participate. These other departmental representatives were from Counseling and Career Planning, the Donaghey Scholars Program, the Graduate School, the Library, and the federally funded TRIO program (Student Support Services). UALR's Faculty Resource Council on Disability has a total of 85 members. FRC members received stipends of $500 for participating in these professional development activities.

The role of the FRC members was defined as a mentoring role but it was expected that the way the members carried that out would depend on the culture of the department and their preference for interacting with their colleagues. Several different models have emerged. In one department, the FRC member worked with other faculty in her department to develop a smaller version of the resource manual they were provided. She incorporated information that is specific to their discipline and gave a copy to each faculty member in their department. In another department, the FRC member has taken an advocate role in departmental meetings. He has also created a GA position whose role it will be to develop alternate formats and prepare accessible materials for students with disabilities. Finally, another FRC member conducted a needs assessment among the faculty in her department and requested customized in-service training from Project PACE in conjunction with departmental meetings.

UAPB. The Faculty Resource Council on Disability was made up of one representative from each academic department. In some cases this person was the Chair, but in most departments it was a person who had a specific interest in participating. In addition to the representatives from academic departments, the following departments were invited to send a representative to the training: the Library, the Counseling and Testing Center, Academic Skills and Development Services, the Registrar's Office and Disability Services. UAPB's Faculty Resource Council on Disability has a total of 22 members. FRC members received stipends of $500 for participating in these professional development activities. On this campus, in addition to the role the FRC members play in their own departments, they have served in an advisory capacity to the disability services office.