1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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?

12. 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

13. 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

14. We are:
TTY Direct: