1. Well, Imagine That! Heidi Scher University of Arkansas
Ark-AHEAD 2016 Spring Conference
April 14, 2016

2. In This Hour We will: Look at how we determine accommodations
Look at an alternative process
Use our imaginations!

3. How do you… …figure out appropriate accommodations for a student?
…determine what questions to ask?
Do you
…have a list of questions?
…deviate from the list or stick to it most of the time?

4. How do you know…
…when you’re done contemplating accommodations with a student?

5. Upcoming Meeting Student #1
Before the meeting, we know:
Student is a sophomore
He has a seizure disorder

6. What are you thinking about this upcoming meeting & this student? ? ? ?

7. This DA  This List or That List
Do you have a “go-to, unofficial” list of accommodations when you hear a student has a specific disability?

8. Ex: “Unofficial” Accommodation List
Reading Disability 
Note-taker
Extended time for tests
Text-to-speech or reader for tests
Accessible alternative formats of course materials

9. Process In-A-Nutshell
Student
Disability
Accommodations
Access

10. What Lead to This Direction of Thinking?
Historically based  Medical model
Required documentation
Included diagnosis
MAYBE included limitations
Problem is centrally based on student’s disability

11. Pre-fab Accommodations
Let’s look at some of the pre-fab, off the shelf AT examples. Some you may have seen, some may be new to you.

12. Pre-fab AT Examples
Split keyboard Screen readers: SuperNova Screen & JAWS Dragon Naturally Speaking …to name only a few
Split keyboard or stickers to put on the keys – can get large print, high contrast, or these which are called keyspots
Ergonomic mouse, Big Track Trackball
Screen readers: SuperNova Screen & JAWS
Dragon Naturally Speaking – speech to text software – as in talk to the computer and it types what you say
…to name only a few

13. Pre-fab Accommodations – Ditch That Box!
Let’s look at some of the pre-fab, off the shelf AT examples. Some you may have seen, some may be new to you.

14. A Different Perspective for Determining Accommodations

15. Accommodations… Are NOT about a disability ARE
about chipping away, reducing, removing barriers being experienced

16. When Student Shares Disability…
First thoughts  what barrier is student encountering resulting in them having difficult completing or not able to complete because of a barrier?

17. The NEW List
Develop accommodations list during discussion with student.
All accommodations relate to a TASK or ENVIRONMENT
not limitation or the student.

18. Process from a Different Perspective
Student with disability
Barrier
Accommodations
Access
Disability

19. Can It Be? Can the sky be green? Can the grass be blue?
Can text-to-speech remove a barrier for someone other than those who have print-related disabilities?
Could JAWs be helpful for individuals other than those who are blind?
Can common office equipment be useful accommodations in the classroom?

20. Upcoming Meeting - Student #1
Before the meeting, we know:
Student is a sophomore
He has a seizure disorder

21. Student #1 - During Meeting
Must use computer for
Research
Writing reports & homework assignments
Has seizure disorder
One seizure is looking at computer screen

22. Possible accommodations?

23. Resolution Student admitted using computer would be life- long
Student learned JAWS

24. Student #2
Student is a junior
She has low vision
Is an art major

25. What Tasks to Contemplate?
What tasks might this student have to complete
Depends upon focus of study
Ceramics
Drawing
Specific software

26. During Discussion Let’s talk about tasks.
What barriers are you encountering related to specific course activities?

27. Specific to Student #2 Course learning new artistic software
Can’t see screen when instructor demonstrates
Moving closer doesn’t help
Students have to use their own computer for work
Limited desk space in class due to
Classroom Size
Classroom layout
Number of students

28. Possible accommodations?

29. Resolution Second monitor set up for student
Student connect her computer to monitor
Instructor shares screen with student’s computer
(screen sharing  often used in online meetings)

30. Let’s KICK the Box: Your Students & Uncommon Accommodations

31. Thank you!!!