NCD Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee

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Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee Renewal Charter

Official Designation: Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee

Scope and Objectives: The purpose of the National Council on Disability's (NCD) Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee is to provide advice and recommendations to NCD on issues affecting people with disabilities from culturally diverse backgrounds. Specifically, the committee will help identify issues, expand outreach, infuse participation, and elevate the voices of underserved and unserved segments of this nation's population that will help NCD develop federal policy that will address the needs and advance the civil and human rights of people from diverse cultures.

Duration: Continuing.

Reporting Relationship: The Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee reports to the National Council on Disability.

Support: National Council on Disability will support the activities of the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee.

Duties: The Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee will provide advice and recommendations only.

Costs: The estimated annual operating costs associated with supporting the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee's functions are estimated to be $46,000 per year including all direct and indirect expenses. It is estimated that a staff person will spend approximately 624 hours per year to support the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee.

Meetings: It is anticipated that the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee will meet at least quarterly.

Organization: NCD will create any subcommittees that may be necessary to fulfill the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee's mission. In addition, NCD and the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee will establish such operating procedures as required to support the group, consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended.

Membership: The committee will consist of not more than 12 members, representing culturally diverse populations and a variety of disabling conditions from across the United States. While representative members may have expertise in a specific area, discipline, or subject matter, they are not selected solely on the basis of this expertise, but rather are selected to represent the point of view of a group or particular interest.

Date of Termination: Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee will terminate two years from the date of this charter.

Renewed: January 12, 2007

Mark S. Quigley
Acting Executive Director
National Council on Disability

By-Laws - General Guidelines for the Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee (CDAC): Clarifying Procedures for Operation (April 2006 Re-issue)

Purpose:  To provide a basis for consistent information and operations as an effective advisory unit to the National Council on Disability (NCD).

General Tips on the Role of Committee Members

1. Membership selection information is included in the CDAC Charter (www.ncd.gov)
2. Members will select a reasonable amount of issues/activities for CDAC’s involvement based on NCD’s priorities and work plan for the fiscal year.
3. CDAC’s perspectives can expand NCD’s knowledge about how the lives of people with disabilities of all ages from diverse cultures are affected by the implementation and enforcement of federal laws.
4. CDAC can inform NCD about general and specific concerns and provide advice recommending policy and procedures that are perceived as barriers by people with disabilities from diverse cultures.
5. CDAC’s primary role as a unit is to advise NCD rather than the public.  In this regard, CDAC members need to clarify whether personal; other organization, or CDAC—comments [previously shared with NCD through the council liaison’s report at NCD quarterly meetings] are being expressed when speaking with members of the public. 
6. Making recommendations to the President and Congress is an NCD function as an agency.

Relationship with NCD Staff and Council Liaisons

1)   NCD’s staff and council liaisons are available to provide guidance to the CDAC and to assist with inquiries about the functioning of the CDAC.  The staff liaison also performs various detailed responsibilities related to the operation of the committee and requirements of the federal legislation authorizing its establishment, the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
2)   When a question arises regarding an issue about which the committee has made no recommendation to NCD, the committee member can respectfully refer the person asking the question to the NCD staff liaison or council liaison for CDAC.

CDAC Leaders and Official Meetings

1. Official meetings will be scheduled by the NCD designated federal official (staff liaison)
2. CDAC will elect a Chair and Vice Chair from the committee membership to serve 1 term.
3. The Chair (or Vice Chair when designated) needs to assume responsibility for obtaining maximum input from all members prior to consulting with NCD staff on the agenda items.
4. The NCD staff liaison approves the agenda after providing an opportunity for council liaison input, both liaisons assuring that CDAC efforts are aligned with NCD’s work and priorities.
5. The Chair (or Vice Chair when designated) needs to assume responsibility for leading—carrying out—the agenda at the official (public) meetings of the committee.
6. To meet federal law requirements for public meeting notice, the announcement of the official meetings must be sent by the staff liaison to the NCD public relations staff at least 30 days before the meeting date for publication in the Federal Register
7. CDAC will conduct public meetings at least quarterly during the fiscal year.

Discussion Leadership and Agenda Items: Official Meeting or Discussion Teleconference

1. With staff liaison consultation, CDAC can rotate the lead for various discussions—(i.e., members other than the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson can volunteer to facilitate a discussion, based on factors such as interest or experience regarding a specific issue)
2. CDAC can decide to include in its agenda program briefings—(i.e., inviting an person involved with an area/topic of interest to present information deemed important)
3. The committee will use a standard format for its agenda (e.g., roll call, welcome and introductions, program briefing (optional), discussion of relevant issue(s), reaching consensus on any item(s) intended as advice to the NCD, determination of any next assignments with timelines for completion, adjourn), announcements, and adjournment.
4. The NCD staff liaison opens & closes the official meetings.

Reporting CDAC Advice to NCD

1. Advice to NCD needs to represent consensus of the committee (i.e., agreement as a unit)
2. Advice to NCD needs to be stated concisely in written format.
3. Advice to NCD regarding an issue needs to be formalized by the Chairperson (or a member designated by the Chairperson).
4. The advice needs to be reviewed by the NCD staff, General Counsel and council liaison to CDAC prior to submitting information to the NCD Chair and/or Executive Board.
5. When appropriate, the NCD council liaison will include the CDAC advice as a part of the committee’s report at the quarterly meeting.
6. The NCD staff liaison to the CDAC will report back to the CDAC Chairperson the outcome, including any concerns, questions, and/or actions taken at the quarterly meeting.

Communication among CDAC Members

1. CDAC communication is conducted primarily via the Internet.
2. Messages to one person should be addressed directly and only to that person’s e-mail address
3. Messages to a specific group can be posted on the appropriate workgroup listserv
4. Group discussions can also be held through a small group or full committee listserv
5. Messages that need to be read by a member who does not have access to the Internet shall be communicated through a preferred method such as telephone, postal mailing, or TTY.

Agreement on Cultural Competence
At its November 2001 public meeting, CDAC members voted to adopt the definition of cultural competence from the October 30, 2000 Amendments to P.L. 106-402 - The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000.  Administering agency - Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Cultural competence is defined as a set of values, behaviors, attitudes, and practices within a system, organization, program or among individuals and which enables them to work effectively cross culturally.  Further, it refers to the ability to honor and respect the beliefs, language, interpersonal styles and behaviors of individuals and families receiving services, as well as staff who are providing such services.  Striving to achieve cultural competence is a dynamic, ongoing, developmental process that requires a long term commitment of time.

Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee Members

John Armendariz - Cultural Competency/Disability Advocate
Peter Benavidez - Disability/Self-Determination Advocate
Robert Coward - Disability/Diversity & Independence Advocate
Christina Curry - Independent Living/Diversity/Disability Advocate
Glenn T. Fujiura, Ph.D. - Disability Researcher/Educator
Jerry Lang - Disability & Health Services Advocate
Darryl Long - Parent Trainer/Disability Advocate
Nipa Pandya - Medical Research Coordinator & Disability Advocate
Lilliam Rangel-Diaz - Family Services & Education Advocate
Bill Scott - Diversity/Disability Consultant & Advocate
Darrell K. Simmons, J.D. - Diversity Coordinator/Disability Advocate
Marina Tse - Disability/Diversity & Education Advocate

Cultural Diversity Meetings

Fiscal Year 2008 Meetings
November 15, 2007
April 3, 2008
July 10, 2008
August 21, 2008

Fiscal Year 2007 Meetings
September 20, 2007
November 16, 2006

Fiscal Year 2006 Meetings

2005 Meetings
September 21, 2005
June 1, 2005
January 13, 2005

2004 Meetings
September 24, 2004
August 30, 2004
July 9, 2004
April 7, 2004

Cultural Diversity Agenda

August 21, 2008 2:30 PM
November 15, 2007 2:30 PM

Cultural Diversity Minutes

Fiscal Year 2008 Minutes
July 10, 2008
April 3, 2008
November 15, 2007

Fiscal Year 2007 Minutes
September 2007
July 19, 2007
May 17, 2007
February 16, 2007
November 16, 2006

Fiscal Year 2006 Minutes

2006 Minutes
September 7, 2006
June 1, 2006
March 4, 2006
November 4, 2005

2005 Minutes
September 21, 2005
June 1, 2005
January 13, 2005

2004 Minutes
December 7, 2004
September 24, 2004
August 20, 2004
July 9, 2004
April 7, 2004

2003 Minutes
August 15, 2003
June 13, 2003
April 18, 2003
February 10, 2003

Cultural Diversity Reports and Documents

Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee Report (April 2008)

Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee Report (January 2008)

Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee Report (November - December 2007)

Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee - Staff Transition Report from Dr. Gerrie Hawkins: Tracking the Committee Work Impact for the National Council on Disability (2002 - 2007)

Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting Report (July 2007)

Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee (CDAC) Report to the National Council on Disability (NCD) Quarterly Meeting Report (April 16-17, 2007)

Cultural Diversity March 2007 Dispelling Common Myths About Diversity (March 2007)

CDAC Quarterly Meeting Update (January 2007)

Embracing Diversity [2]) Embracing Diversity (March 2007)

Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee for the National Council on Disability Fact Sheet (Created March 2003; Text Version Revised October 2006)

September 2006 Orientation Document - The Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee for the National Council on Disability: A Brief Overview (September 2006)

August 2006 Report from the Cultural Diversity Adisory Committee (CDAC) (August 2006)

Diversity Matters, July 2006: Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee Activities (July 17, 2006)

Resources Directory: Links to Disability and Civil Rights Organizations

Outreach and People with Disabilities from Diverse Cultures: A Review of the Literature (November 2003) (PDF)

Cultural Diversity Designated Federal Official

Michael C. Collins
Executive Director
National Council on Disability
mcollins@ncd.gov
202-272-2004
202-272-2074 TTY
202-272-2022 fax