History
Timeline
The Disability Cultural Center (DCC) supports disability community and education for disabled students, faculty, staff and alumni and all members of the University community. The first of its kind in Texas, the DCC works to create and sustain a sense of belonging for disabled people who study, teach and work at UT. In collaboration with campus partners, the DCC strives to create a community where disability is respected and valued as an important part of our campus community, and accessibility is built into the structure and design of all aspects of campus life.
Below is a timeline and short description of how the DCC was established at UT Austin.
A group of students, faculty and staff expressed interest in establishing a DCC and began meetings to discuss goals, ideas and plans for a DCC on the UT campus. Student groups, including the Disability Advocacy Student Coalition, Student Government Disabilities and Inclusion Agency and Student Senate, created and distributed a survey to assess student interest in a DCC, receiving an overwhelming response with support for a DCC.
The DCC Working Group developed and submitted a proposal for funding for a DCC Director salary to the Student Services Budget Committee, with the support of the Division of Campus and Community Engagement (DCCE) and the Division of Student Affairs.
DCCE received termed funding for a Founding Director salary.
The DCC Working Group conducted a nationwide search and interviewed candidates for the DCC Founding Director position, successfully hiring a candidate to start in early 2023. In addition, the DCC Working Group developed a proposal and recommendations for the physical location of the DCC that was reviewed and approved by the Division of Campus and Community Engagement and Division of Student Affairs leadership.
The DCC’s founding director starts in the full-time position. The DCC begins hosting events and establishes a digital presence with a website and social media platforms. The DCC receives funding to cover costs of renovations of the existing space on the first floor of the Student Services Building that was approved for use as the future location of the DCC. Work on planning and design for the physical space begins. The DCC is awarded three years of funding for DCC programming through the university’s You Belong Here strategic direction.