Disability Services for Students (DSS) and Universal Instructional Design (UID) GSR 989 17 September 2013 Jacki Andre Passionate about UD and UID because it makes the world more welcoming and easier to navigate

DESCRIBE IMAGE Using the same method to judge everyone's academic performance doesn't necessarily provide an accurate reflection of everyone's knowledge or potential.

Disability Services for Students Started in 1996 800 active students (more registered for informational purposes) 9 full-time staff; ~45 casual exam staff Students must have documentation Programs and supports: advocacy exam accommodations notetaking services alternate format (e-texts) assistive technology advice classroom moves funding other (residence issues, professional colleges, etc.) How U of S students are currently accommodated. In order to access any of our programs or services, students need to register with us. They can register by providing documentation that states their diagnosis and lists which accommodations they require. DSS does not determine accommodations. The documentation is confidential.

Tendency to think of “disabilities” as physical disabilities that are noticeable, like wheelchair users Wide range of what is considered a “disability” Learning disabilities/ADHD Chronic illnesses Mental illnesses Temporary injuries – broken limbs, surgery These things are NOT disability: common illness like flus and colds, pregnancy/newborn/breastfeeding

Medical vs Social Models of Disability Medical model Disability is a “problem” or “deficiency” that resides in the person who is disabled. The person with the disability needs to be “fixed” or “modified” in order to function. Social model Disability is a problem caused by the physical environment, which has been designed to meet the needs of the majority of people who do not have disabilities. Two key models or theories to keep in mind Example: Me/Jacki. Medical model: hearing aids. Social model: flashing fire alarms.

Universal Instructional Universal Design creating physical environments and products that are accessible to as many people as possible Universal Instructional Designing the curriculum or course to be as widely accessible as possible. The other key theory or model

Great example of UD in practice – DESCRIBE IMAGE! Wheelchair icon -> wheelchair users How many people have ever pressed that button? Why? UD was created to make environments more accessible for people with disabilities, but it turns out to have benefitted lots of people. Doorless bathrooms in airports, curb cuts, ramps

DSS Exam Program Students must meet DSS deadlines DSS works with instructors and their departments to get exam copies The student writes at a DSS location at the same time as the class writes Cell number for questions Segregation, additional “work” to write exams, “outing” themselves, unfair access, stigmatization medical model Use two DSS programs to show you how the U of S currently accommodates students with disabilities.

Exams and UID – What if…? … exams were designed to be completed in less than full-class time? … group testing was implemented? … alternate ways of demonstrating knowledge were offered (presentations, papers, art, video)? … exams were designed as “take home” exams? Inclusion, equitable access, no “difference” Social model How can UID make exams more accessible? By implementing UID, and moving towards a social model, it benefits students who don’t have disabilities as well: ESL students, take home exams might be better for people needing childcare

Notetaking at DSS Request notetakers through DSS PAWS channel DSS PAWS announcements to recruit notetakers Notetakers come in to DSS to fill out contracts and find out expectations Confidentiality Notes are uploaded to Blackboard Not enough notetakers; no quality control medical model Second program to look at: Notetaking

Notetaking and UID – What if…? … instructors gave access to their own notes? … instructors created and posted podcasts of lectures? … collaborative notetaking methods are used? What happens if we move towards UID and social model? Who else might benefit?

Collaborative Notetaking Access to shared online platform, such as a wiki or google docs Can start with the instructor’s notes or outline; or with a blank slate Projected on screen All students contribute to the document in real time All students have access to the completed document and the same set of notes Only necessary to cover if lots of people are unfamiliar with google docs

Other Twitter vs EasyChirp (easychirp.com) Accessible clickers; what they are used for Reading/describing visual materials Whenever you are thinking about making modifications to how you teach, spend a few minutes on google to see how you can make those more accessible Twitter in the classroom is a great way to increase student engagement; check out EasyChirp for an accessible option As a bonus, a lot of the ways that increase access also increase student engagement

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