Navigating the Accessibility Toolkit

Access the Boldly Going Online slideshow.

How do you design assessments (e.g., exams, projects) to accommodate students with disabilities?

• None: There is the possibility that no accommodation is requested or needs to be made.
• Settings: In the case of exams, students may request “setting” accommodations where the location of the exam is different (i.e., reduce distractions, setting change to permit physical access or use of special equipment).
• Timing/Scheduling: Some students may need extended time for timed exams and/or the inclusion of multiple or frequent breaks.
• Presentation: According to the student’s needs, we might make accommodations not to require them to read standard print (think auditory, multi-sensory, tactile, and/or visual changes). These accommodations might include large print, magnification devices, sign language, braille, human readers, or audio amplification devices. For example, the instructor
• Response: These accommodations allow students to complete the assessments in different ways, perhaps with the help of an assistive device. These can include using a scribe, computer, tape recorder, responding in test booklet vs. answer sheet, calculators, or spelling/grammar devices.
• Alternate Assessment: In some cases, the instructor may create a different assessment that achieves the same learning objectives as the exam/assignment given to the remainder of the class (ie oral exam, paper, presentation, etc.).

When adapting assignments like group projects/presentations, additional measures might be required beyond providing assignment instructions in an accessible format- where leveraging technology can bridge some gaps.

As Administrators, how can we encourage more Instructors to be proactive with UDOIT?

Admins should encourage faculty to make UDOIT a part of their course readiness process. Before publishing a site, run the Link Validator and do a quick accessibility scan by opening the UDOIT dashboard. Try to fix any errors, and if you have time, go through the list of suggestions. TAs and class managers/designers can run these checks as well.

Additionally, we recommend reaching out to Cidi Labs for their strategies or for the option to connect with other universities that have rolled out UDOIT successfully with high usage.