FROM

Dear Hornet Community,

Historically, individuals with disabilities have faced heightened systemic discrimination, particularly when their identities intersect with other marginalized identities, including gender, sexuality, and citizenship status. At Sacramento State, we recognize disability as a fundamental aspect of diversity and remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an accessible, inclusive, and accommodating campus community. Regardless of executive orders or court rulings, we will continue to prioritize and champion accessibility and inclusion for all members of our community. Ableism, like all other forms of discrimination, has no place on this campus.

While many individuals, programs, and departments on campus implement inclusive practices for campus meetings and events, we have more work to do. Furthermore, there are inconsistencies across campus in providing accessibility to events and even opportunities to request accommodations for events. These gaps can result in the unintentional exclusion of community members. Examples include:

Most recently, two campus events experienced issues with the lack of ASL interpreter services. As a result, during the March 6, 2025, Faculty Senate meeting, a resolution was passed to create policies ensuring that ASL and captioning services are provided at all future Faculty Senate events. Within the resolution, attention was also drawn to affirming that individuals with disabilities are the primary experts in determining their own access and accommodation needs and therefore, individuals with disabilities must be included in any discussions regarding policy or practice changes or decisions that may affect their access to campus events.

These recent events, and others before them, have drawn attention to the painful consequences of exclusion. Therefore, on behalf of the entire campus community, we want to sincerely apologize to those who have ever been excluded from fully participating in an event because the necessary accommodations were not provided and access to requesting accommodations was also not provided. As proud members of this campus, and as an office deeply committed to the values of accessibility, inclusion, belonging, and justice, we personally commit to doing better and leading by example.

Every member of our campus community deserves equal access to the rich variety of educational, cultural, and social activities that make our university experience so dynamic. To fully uphold our core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice, we must ensure that all campus events are accessible and inclusive.

To institutionalize this commitment, our office is developing a Campus Event Inclusiveness and Accessibility Policy, which will apply to all campus events. The policy is being developed in collaboration with diverse stakeholders who have lived experiences of disabilities and will be finalized by the end of Spring 2025, with full implementation beginning Fall 2025. This policy is designed to create meaningful change and ensure we live up to our values. It will:

We thank you for your partnership in this important work. Sacramento State remains unwavering in our dedication to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable environment for all, and we will continue to advocate for policies and practices that uphold these principles.

And, as we work together to build an accessible and inclusive campus, we encourage all members of our community to take advantage of the following resources.

Resources for Accessibility and Inclusion

CSU System Chancellor’s Office Resources

Sacramento State Resources

Advocacy and Legal Support

National Resources: Event Accessibility Planning & Toolkits

As we move forward in fostering a truly inclusive and accessible campus, we encourage each of you to reflect on the role we all play in creating a community where everyone belongs. Accessibility is not just about compliance—it is about dignity, respect, and ensuring that every member of our Hornet community has the opportunity to fully participate in campus life. By working together, holding ourselves accountable, and centering the voices of individuals with disabilities, we can build a more just and equitable Sacramento State. Thank you for your continued partnership in this important work.

In community, 

Your Inclusive Excellence Team

View Online

California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 278-6011  |   www.csus.edu