Disability Resource Center

Faculty Resource for Working with Students with Disabilities

Introduction

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) at Clackamas Community College sees the role of creating and maintaining usable, equitable, inclusive and sustainable learning environments as a shared responsibility of the campus community.

The student with a disability is the best source of information regarding necessary accommodations. The Disability Resource Center is also available to collaborate with faculty and staff to ensure access.

Suggestions for your classroom:

• Include a statement on the class syllabus inviting the student to discuss academic needs with you. For example, "If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible."

• When talking with the student, inquire about what about the environment or curriculum is inaccessible. Work with the student and the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to determine and provide appropriate accommodations if necessary.

• Select course materials early. Distribute syllabi, assignments, and reading lists in advance and in electronic format (e.g. disk, network) to facilitate transportation to audio tape, Braille, and large print.

• Face the class when speaking. Repeat discussion questions. Write key phrases on the blackboard. Hand out assignments in writing. Provide written summaries of demonstrations in advance and use captioned films when you have a hard of hearing student in class.

• Verbally describe visual aids if there is a student with a visual impairment in class. For example, you might say "The three-inch-long steel rod," rather than "this."

Additional information and suggestions for faculty & Universal Design Resources:

Applications of Universal Design
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Resources/udesign.html

Burgstahler, S. (2007). Equal access: Universal design of instruction. Seattle: DO-IT, University of Washington. Retrieved January 22, 2008, from http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/equal_access_udi.html

Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
http://www.cast.org/udl/

The Center for Universal Design
http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/

The Center for Universal Design in Education
http://www.washington.edu/doit/CUDE/