The goal of this course is to promote equal opportunity and the full participation of students with disabilities in higher education by helping participants advance their awareness of the meaning of accessibility in education. Participants will gain competence and confidence in working with students by focusing on legislation, universal design, and assistive technologies. Thank you to Abbas (Bobby) Husain Quamar, Graduate Student Researcher in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh, for his contributions to the course.
Students come to our higher education classrooms with a wide variety of knowledge, skills, talents, and abilities. As educators, we want all students to be successful and feel supported in an inclusive learning environment. Many of our students have disabilities that they may or may not disclose to faculty and staff. Typically, the process of providing required documentation and identifying appropriate accommodations is a collaborative effort between the student and the disability services staff. Faculty are not a part of this process and may not be aware of the rationale or implications. In this module, we begin with an introduction to students with disabilities and the process of obtaining services and academic accommodations. This module also highlights key United States and international legislation that relates to higher education students with disabilities.
How does legislation protect the rights of people with disabilities?•7 minutes
What is the process for obtaining disability services in higher education?•3 minutes
Director Culley - What is the process a student with disabilities goes through with Disability Services?•1 minute
Director Culley - What role do instructors play in helping students with disabilities?•0 minutes
Director Culley - Who determines reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities?•0 minutes
Dr. Cooper - What was your experience in college before the ADA was passed?•3 minutes
Dr. Cooper - How can administrators improve the academic environment for students with disabilities?•1 minute
Jonathan - What assumptions do other students make about your abilities?•1 minute
Brandon - What would you like other students to know about living with a disability?•1 minute
Jonathan - What do you wish you’d known when you went to college?•1 minute
Dr. Seelman - How can faculty learn more about students with disabilities?•0 minutes
Dr. Seelman - What can be done beyond the Disability Services Office to support students with disabilities on campus?•1 minute
Dr. Seelman - How does the UN convention impact the ratifying countries regarding higher education?•1 minute
6 readings•Total 47 minutes
Communicating respectfully•12 minutes
Glossary•10 minutes
Interview with Dr. Cooper•5 minutes
Student Interviews•5 minutes
Interview with Dr. Seelman•5 minutes
Disability and legislation•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
Disability Awareness and Accommodations in Higher Education - Quiz•20 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 15 minutes
Introductions•5 minutes
Legislation In Your Country•10 minutes
Accommodations and Assistive Technologies in Higher Education
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we describe the process used for deciding on reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and the role of Disability Services in making this determination. We identify specific accommodations that students with disabilities might need to participate in university life.
Accommodations and Assistive Technologies•10 minutes
Disability Statements on Syllabi•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Accommodations and Assistive Technology in Education - Quiz•30 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Accessibility Assignment•60 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Assistive Technology Case Scenario•10 minutes
Accessible Design and Universal Design for Learning
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
In the first two modules, we reviewed disability definitions and legislation, disability services, accommodations, and assistive technologies you might find on your college campus. In this module, we focus on applying universal design principles to the design and development of accessible instruction and course materials.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 25 minutes
Universal Design for Learning•6 minutes
Document Design•7 minutes
Screen Reader Demonstration•9 minutes
Dr. Seelman - How are web accessibility standards related to students with disabilities?•1 minute
Dr. Cooper - How can administrators improve the academic environment for students with disabilities?•2 minutes
Director Culley - Who is responsible for making emerging technology accessible to students with disabilities?•0 minutes
1 reading•Total 45 minutes
Readings about Accessible Design•45 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Universal Design for Learning Principles and Practices - Quiz•30 minutes
Accessibility in Higher Education – Case Scenarios
Module 4•1 hour to complete
Module details
Please read the following case scenarios and respond to the corresponding questions on the discussion boards.
What's included
1 reading1 assignment4 discussion prompts
Show info about module content
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Post Course Survey•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Accessibility in Higher Education - Quiz•30 minutes
4 discussion prompts•Total 40 minutes
Accommodations for Student with Concussion - Case Scenario•10 minutes
Deafness - Case Scenario•10 minutes
Ethics - Case Scenario•10 minutes
Low Vision - Case Scenario•10 minutes
Instructor
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Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.