University of California, Irvine

Large Campus

Public University

Urban Campus

West Region

Description

In 2023, a UC Irvine student wrote in New University, the official campus newspaper, about the lack of support for disabled students at UC Irvine. "From my personal experience," wrote Frank Granda, "I encountered several delays over two months trying to get registered with the [Disability Services Center (DSC)] before my first year at UCI. There have been numerous instances where I’ve waited for a response from the DSC for multiple weeks, only to be redirected to another resource center on campus because the DSC did not have the capacity to address my concerns. Eventually, I stopped reaching out to the DSC because I realized that they could not assist me properly, compared to various resource centers aimed towards other student communities at UCI."

Granda notes that the DSC office at UC Irvine, like other disability services offices in the UC system, is underfunded and understaffed, "creating a large backlog of issues that causes great harm to students with disabilities across UC campuses." In 2023, CalMatters reported that the ratio of students registered for accommodations at UC Irvine for each disability specialist at DSC was 460:1, well above the target ratio of 250:1.

According to New University, disabled students have also reported hostility and a lack of understanding from professors about their disabilities and accommodations. "One thing I noticed is that for every single mental disability, [DSC] kind of just ‘control C control V’ a list of accommodations for each person," a student said to New University. "I don’t need extra time [on a test], I need you to explain/advocate what a mental disability is to these professors who clearly do not understand."

U.S. News ranks UC Irvine 33rd among national universities. UC Irvine was also ranked 33rd last year.

Has the university committed to maintaining its DEI programs?

YES

On February 20, 2025, Chancellor Howard Gillman released a statement asserting that "The University of California has, for many decades, operated consistently with state constitutional prohibitions against race-based preferences while at the same time celebrating and supporting our diverse communities. As such, we do not anticipate the need to change practices that are already consistent with applicable state and federal laws." However, since then, Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Dyonne Bergeron's position has been renamed to "Vice Chancellor for Inclusive Excellence." In April, New University wrote, "It is unclear if any diversity initiatives or programs offered by UCI’s Office of Inclusive Excellence or other departments will be impacted in response to the DOJ investigation."

What types of activities exist on campus for disability inclusion, advocacy, and recreation?

Disability Cultural Center

Adaptive sports programs

Student organizations

YES

Other

YES

Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance Plus at UC Irvine is an active "social and self advocacy club for disabled undergrad students and for students who are d/Deaf, autistic and allies."

The School of Physical Sciences sponsors the UCI Neurodiversity Support Group, which meets monthly and hosts events.

The number of disability-centered articles published in the campus newspaper last year

Does the university use stigmatizing language about mental illness or disability on its website?

YES

UC Irvine's Red Folder uses the phrase, "See something. Say something," which was borrowed from the Department of Homeland Security's Post-9/11 anti-terrorism campaigns. As Anu Joshi writes, "the government has deputized untrained civilians to further their surveillance reach through the now ubiquitous 'See Something, Say Something' ad campaign. This desire by the government to cast a wider net to identify and respond to 'suspicious behavior' has only heightened the risk of unfair and unjust targeting of marginalized individuals."

UC Irvine Emergency Management encourages community members to report people who are "unduly anxious, sad, irritable, withdrawn, confused, lacks motivation and/or concentration, seeks constant attention." These behaviors are subjective, and can easily present among disabled and nondisabled people in many contexts. A blanket guidance to report these behaviors stigmatizes neurodivergence and disability and causes harm.

Does the university provide an alternative-to-police mental health crisis response team?

YES

The university has partnered with the city and Be Well to implement an alternative-to-police Mobile Crisis Response Team on campus. The Be Well OC Mobile Response Team is "composed of two crisis intervention specialists who provide in-community assessment and crisis stabilization services to individuals experiencing mental health or substance use challenges." Students can call the UC Irvine Police Department or 911 to request the Mobile Crisis Response Team to be dispatched.

Does the university offer a Disability Studies major?

Disability Studies major

Disability Studies minor or certificate

One or more classes in Disability Studies

YES

UC Irvine offers a few courses on disability, including ANTH 255A, Disability Worlds; SOCL 52, Disability in Society; and ANTH 134I, Comics and Medicine.

The Accessibility Research Collective "brings together scholars from multiple research groups as a way of sharing our processes, plans, and thinking as they evolve alongside contemporary social issues related to computing, disability, and design."

University of California, Irvine

Irvine, CA

Pillar I

Accessibility

Pillar II

Inclusion