Universal Design and Accessibility Issues in Higher Education

1
Universal Design and Accessibility Issues in
Higher Education

• Technology and Persons with Disabilities
  Conference
• March 21, 2003
• Loye Romereim-Holmes
• Nancy Schade

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Fix-it mentality

• Professionals are finding that fix-it approaches
  are not always appropriate for the new technology
  referrals (Warger, 1999).

3
Considerations

• Students appreciate the effort
• But..
• Dont want to stand out
• All students may benefit from the adaptation(s)
• (Vaugh Klinger, 1999)

4
Possible Solution Universal Design for Learning

• The design of instructional materials and
  activities that allows the learning goals to be
  achievable by individuals with wide differences
  in their abilities to see, hear, speak, move,
  read, write, understand English, organize, engage
  and remember (Orkwis McLane, 1998).

5
The Principles

• Multiple representations of content
• Multiple means of expression and control
• Multiple means of engagement
• (CAST, Universal Design for Learning)

6
Issues Facing Educators

• Time
• Training
• Resources
• Creativity
• A new way of teaching
• And many many more

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Benefits to students

• Access
• Flexibility
• Inclusive learning environment
• Enhanced student participation
• Greater independence
• Reduced need for accommodation
• Multimodal Learning

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What does the future hold?

• Web based instruction will continue to reshape
  university instruction and research
• Fundamental consideration accessibility for
  diverse student population
• The changing role of how faculty relate to
  students consultant vs. instructor
• Responding to increased demand for web based
  instruction ( SDSU has experience a 40 increase
  in number of student registering for on-line
  classes)

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Conclusion

• Unlimited opportunity
• Technology is the great equalizer
• Allows people with disabilities to be fully
  integrated
• You can go anywhere from here!

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For more information

• http//www.cast.org
• Presentation found at
• http//learn.sdstate.edu