Meeting Dates:

Tues 9/30/14 @ 11:30am

Tues 10/28/14 @ 11:30am

Tues 11/25/14 @ 11:30am

In the first session, we spoke about variability in students and about how disability happens at the intersection of the individual and the environment. We discussed the need to remove barriers in the environment – “essential for some; good for all”. In the next session, we looked at ways of making assessments accessible to all students by utilizing UDL principles. And in the final session, we considered the accessibility of materials used in courses. Chapter 6 of UDL: Theory and Practice describes “materials” as encompassing “the media used to present learning content and the tools and media used by students while learning and to demonstrate knowledge”.

Suggested Readings:

• Universal Design for Learning: Theory & Practice, which in true UDL-style is offered in print, in accessible e-format, and in interactive web-based format. The book provides very good background information that supports the need for UDL. The examples used, however, are mainly K-12.
• UDL on campus is a website designed specifically for post-secondary educators.
• UDL On Campus > Selecting Media and Technology > Flexible Media looks at how multimedia can be used in flexible ways that support accessibility.
• Appendix D of the KCC 2014-2015 Faculty Handbook has a quick and easy checklist for promoting the use of accessible materials.
• Four Ways to Incorporate Universal Design for Learning into Your Assignment Instructions by Robbin Zeff, Assistant Professor of Writing, George Washington University
• Analyzing a college course that adheres to the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework by Frances G. Smith. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, , Vol. 12, No. 3, September 2012
• To Care and Comply. In this video produced by Portland Community College, students with physical disabilities tell of their struggles with their education.  It discusses ways faculty and staff can improve course materials to make course content more accessible.