Get involved

On this page

• DAP Reference Group
• Interested in joining the DAP Reference Group?
• Auckland University Disabled Students Association
• Disabled Staff/Staff with Disabilities Network
• More information

The DAP Reference Group (DAPRG) membership has a diverse composition of academic and professional staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students across STEMM (science technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine) and CABEL (creative arts, arts, business, economics, and law) with lived experience and/or expertise in this area. 

The DAP Reference Group critiques progress and gaps throughout the life of the DAP, and provides workstream owners with feedback to inform the DAP review process.

Membership commitment

• Student members, one-year term to November 2025
• Staff members, two-year terms

Voting members both student and staff representatives

Andy Fey

Voting members student representatives

Ayolabi Martins
Ashlyn Prasad
Elise Leslie
Jess Kelly
Jessica Ji
Jessica Yu
Lola Elvy
Megan Riegel
Michel Sorensen
Nicholas Ringwood
Nina Duggan
Sasha Rodenko
Sophie Roberts

Voting members staff representatives

Dr Allan Fowler
Dr Alehandrea Manuel
Angela Arnold-Saritepe
Bhavisha Solanki
Dr Elizabeth Holt
Karl Crosby
Dr Laura Wilkinson-Meyers
Mathew Nuttall, Co-chair
Patricia Austin
Dr Priyanka Agarwal, Co-chair
Shobha Herle
Wairemana Phillips

Non-voting members

Professor Cathy Stinear, Pro Vice-Chancellor Equity
Dr Bradley Patten

The reference group acts as critic and conscience to the implementation, monitoring and reporting of progress and gaps for each of the workstreams, throughout the life of the Disability Action Plan.  

We ask for expressions of interest to join the reference group annually in August.

Auckland University Disabled Students Association (AUDSA) is a student-led group established to amplify and advocate for disabled student voices and the inclusion of disabled students on campus. AUDSA aims for disabled students to have equal access to their education and all aspects of university life. It works to provide the space for all students with a disability to join their community and meet fellow students like them. Fill in the AUDSA sign up form to join.

Should you require support, Ratona Hauātanga Tauira | Student Disability Services (SDS) work towards creating a safe, inclusive and equitable educational environment for students with disabilities. Prospective and current students can make appointments through the online booking system.

The Disabled Staff Network provides a connection for disabled staff/staff with disabilities across Waipapa Taumata Rau. It functions to build community and connection, support, information-sharing, and advocacy.

Meetings are held throughout the year and can be in-person or online, as needed.

There are opportunities through the network to participate in subgroups on specific issues. The network is open to all disabled staff and staff who identify as having a disability. The network is currently co-chaired by Professor Ginny Braun in the School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, read Professor Braun's profile; Ms Emma Sadera, Faculty of Medical Health Sciences (FMHS) Associate Dean Equity and chair of the FMHS Equity and Diversity Committee and Ms Leah Tamasese, Disability Case Manager, Student Disability Services.

To join the network please email staffdiversityequityandinclusion@auckland.ac.nz 

Staff members who are also studying with the University can choose to join both the staff and student networks.

If you have any queries relating to the information on this page, please email Vicki Watson, Manager – Equity.