Accessibility in Action
Aisha Wilks and E. Scherzinger
DID YOU KNOW that McMaster has accessibility resources to improve students’ experiences?
Accommodation is a collaborative process based on students’ unique, and, in many cases, changing needs and capacities.
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Safe and comfortable learning environments are important to ensure all students are able to participate
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If students self-identify as disabled, extend the benefit of the doubt if possible: SAS registration can take weeks and students can encounter a range of barriers in the process
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By adopting principles of universal design, instructors can reduce pressure on disabled students to self-advocate
Strategies
To check in with a classroom of any size about their access needs, consider:
- Distributing (anonymous) surveys online or in tutorial
- Elaborating on boilerplate language in the syllabus
- Publicizing office hours, and encouraging students to visit
- Consider trigger warnings on sensitive material
Resources
McMaster’s accessibility resources include tips to improve the learning of students who may experience physical, cognitive, neurological, and/or mental health conditions. See:
- Alise de Bie and Kate Brown, Forward with Flexibility: A Teaching and Learning Resource on Accessibility and Inclusion
- McMaster University’s Accessibility Hub
- Learning Technologies Consultant Nick Marquis (marquis@mcmaster.ca) for tips on Universal Design
- The MacPherson Institute’s Educational Developers