Barriers And Solutions To Improve Classroom Accessibility
Strategies
Assist students with getting any missed information or making up any quizzes they may have missed. If you have already provided notes online or have assigned that responsibility to a student or students, please refer the student to those options.
Post a copy of your lecture notes or PowerPoints to Canvas so the student can review them and have them available for the lecture.
Make any handouts or PowerPoints in electronic format available in Canvas so students can use their technologies to access the information.
Depending on the degree of limitations, a software app may be an equitable option for the student to use.
During the accommodations meeting with students, discuss ways they would like to be called upon.
Oftentimes, having a fellow student work as a lab partner is the easiest way to assist the student. Graduate Teaching Assistants can also be a valuable resource.
Provide students with an outline of the lecture that can be filled in or expanded. Allow the student to use technology such as a laptop, Livescribe Pen, or digital recorder to assist with note-taking. Ask for volunteers or assign a group of students to take and share their class notes. Notes could then be posted to Canvas for the entire class to view.
Potential Issues
Students in wheelchairs could potentially encounter problems making it to your class on time. Crowded elevators, obstructed paths of travel, and fatigue could prevent a student from arriving on time.
Students with physical impairments impacting the upper body could potentially need assistance taking notes.
Students with physical impairments impacting the upper body could potentially have difficulty holding and turning pages in a book or handout.
Students with physical impairments impacting the upper body could potentially need assistance recording answers with an iClicker.
Some students do not have the ability to raise their hands to ask or answer questions.
Students with limited dexterity and upper body strength may not be able to manipulate objects in labs and other courses that require hands-on participation.
Physical impairments of the upper body can limit a student's ability to write or type.
