The Center on Human Policy, Law, and Disability Studies (CHPLDS) is a network of Syracuse University centers, academic programs, student organizations, and affiliated faculty whose research, teaching, and advocacy relates to promoting and protecting the rights of people with disabilities. The Center’s components include research, training and advocacy, public education and media relations, and academic programs.
Participation in the CHPLDS is voluntary on the part of centers, academic programs, student organizations, and faculty. The Center respects the autonomy and academic freedom of participating units and individuals. Its role is to foster cooperation, collaboration, and communication on issues affecting people with disabilities. The Center neither seeks nor has the authority to control the scholarly, training, fund-raising, and advocacy activities of participating units and individuals. Specifically, affiliates are encouraged to conduct their own activities under their own names. Academic programs affiliated with the Center are subject to governance structures within their respective schools and colleges.
The CHPLDS is governed by a Steering Committee composed of faculty, student representatives, and professional staff, and is committed to the full participation of people with disabilities in its decision-making. The Steering Committee’s role is to coordinate the common efforts of participating units and individuals.
The CHPLDS seeks to build cooperative and collegial relations with other centers, academic programs, organizations, and faculty who share the values of the Center and our commitment to inclusion and equality of people with disabilities locally, nationally, and globally.
Prepared by the Steering Committee, Center on Human Policy, Law, and Disability Studies, Fall 2005.