Accommodating students with disabilities in online learning:

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Accommodating students with disabilities in online learning: 

All you ever wanted to know and more! 

Jane Jarrow, Ph.D & Kelly Hermann

 

Our plan for the morning: 

Legal requirements: ADA and Section 504 Issues regarding serving students with disabilities in online courses Intersection of disability and online learning 00issues for students Course development and working with your institution Some questions to ask of yourselves Questions and answers  

Legal basis for requiring access: 

Section 508 What 508 does NOT say to colleges & universities? Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The visible statute that others look to Section 504 Program access What DOES 504 say to colleges & universities? Applicable case law/precedent  

Technology access: 

Good news - 

You don00 have to provide the technology  

Bad news -  

Access goes WAY beyond an accessible website  

Issues re: serving SWDs: 

Hybrid/blended classes Hybrid/blended students Online only classes  

Why can00 my existing disability services office take care of all of this?

 

Why help is needed to take this on: 

Time Resources Orientation Recognition of need EXISTENCE Do you HAVE an existing disability services00office at your institution?  

Online learning contexts: 

Students (and faculty!) may think that online learning is the 00uick fix00 to disability accommodation needs. Definitely solves some issues, ie., physical access issues Creates new issues, ie., compatibility with assistive technology Students often feel that their disability doesn00 matter when studying online and don00 disclose or request accommodations.  

Physical disability & online learning: 

Some issues students face: Physical access to the computer Physical manipulation of texts and other course materials Timing of synchronous components of the course, especially chat rooms Research activities to fulfill assignments 00especially if those activities require the student to work outside of the course environment.  

Learning disability & online learning: 

Some issues for students: Accessing textbooks and printed course materials Clarification of misunderstood points Timing and organization of synchronous components, especially chat rooms Extra time to take online exams and other assessments Assignments 00is extra time needed?  

Visual impairment & online learning: 

Some issues for students: Interaction of course management system and assistive technology used by the student Textbooks and other course materials in alternative formats Video components and captions Graphics, photos & charts Research activities to fulfill assignments 00especially if those activities require the student to work outside of the course environment.  

Hearing impairment & online learning: 

Some issues for students: Audio components and transcripts Sound of video components Language issues if ASL is the first language Timing and organization of any synchronous components, especially chat rooms used. Research activities to fulfill assignments 00especially if those activities require the student to work outside of the course environment.  

Mental illness & online learning: 

Some issues for students: Timing issues due to the side effects of medications taken or due to flare up of condition Processing of text heavy courses Need to increase phone/email contact with instructor to clarify misunderstood points Social skills needed in online courses, especially in chats and discussion posts Think about accessibility What components are you building into your course? Audio recordings Videos Podcasts Graphics & pictures It is easier to build accessibility into the course during development than it is to retrofit a developed course.  

Considerations for course development:

 

Working with your institution: 

Academic affairs: Faculty development that focuses on disability issues Including accessibility in course and program development Outreach to SWD at registration Bookstore: Access to textbook information to secure alternative formats Early deadlines for course adoptions  

Working with your institution: 

Student affairs: Who is responsible for providing disability services for students in online courses? Provide information for online students regarding accommodations at orientation Advising: Awareness of the difference between studying online and taking traditional, face-to-face courses Advising SWD about the challenges of studying online & determining appropriateness of course  

Working with your institution: 

Disability services: Policies and procedures  reflect the needs of online students Specific information regarding the differences between studying online and face-to-face.

Responses to Accommodating students with disabilities in online learning:

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