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“This Isn’t Why I Became An Instructor!”: Motivating Faculty to Embrace Accessibility

Handouts Media

Presented at 2:15pm in Cotton Creek I on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.

#29485

Speaker(s)

  • Jennifer Pedersen, Instructional Design Accessibility Specialist, University of Alaska Anchorage

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 1-hr
  • Format: Lecture
  • Expertise Level: Beginner
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

Instructional Design departments within our university system began accessibility initiatives by motivating faculty. You’ll hear faculty perspectives on accessibility, what worked well, and what areas were a struggle. We’ll identify ways to build accessibility into the curriculum and break down barriers at the same time.

Abstract

“I don’t have any students with accommodations!” “What’s the point?” “This isn’t why I became a teacher!” “Can I get a course release for this?” With comments like these being heard all around campus, Instructional Design Departments within the University of Alaska Anchorage system had to begin accessibility initiatives by identifying ways to motivate faculty to care about providing accessible course materials and activities for their students. In this session, we’ll share our journey with you. You’ll hear faculty perspectives on accessibility, what worked well, and what areas were a struggle. We’ll identify ways to build accessibility into the curriculum, how to help faculty select or create accessible materials, and design accessible activities.

Keypoints

  1. To motivate a faculty member, think like a faculty member.
  2. Focus on small changes that reap big rewards.
  3. Accessibility helps all students, not just the ones who register with disability support.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Jennifer Pedersen

Dana has been a part of K-12 and postsecondary education for more than 15 years, including direct instruction, faculty support, and stints as an academic and medical librarian. As an advocate for empathetic and student-centered instruction, she is delighted to be supporting accessibility at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Handout(s)

Media

Videos