Renee Shaffer

Location: south carolina

About me

I am a career educator (27+ years) in higher education at the university and career college level. I love helping colleagues put the pieces together to learn how to be the best instructor/educator possible.

Activity

Renee Shaffer

Discussion Comment

Individuals with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Mara, Yes, though students with diabetes (it is a growing population) can really have lapses due to low blood sugar levels. Hidden disabilities can really surprise you. Renee Shaffer

Renee Shaffer

Discussion Comment

Assistive Technologies

Mara, You really try to incorporate a lot of ways for all students to participate in your courses. While the chats can be recorded though, it still does not allow students with disabilities to have the same experience as though who can manuever through the chats in real time. So true about the "old-fashioned" telephone. Good work! Renee Shaffer

Renee Shaffer

Discussion Comment

Essentials: LMS, Documents, Assessment

Alfred, Good points. The alternative text is so helpful for everyone involved so it is best to use it whenever possible. Renee Shaffer

Renee Shaffer

Discussion Comment

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Alfred, Great. Though it would be a good idea to make your resources available proactively. Renee Shaffer

Renee Shaffer

Discussion Comment

Individuals with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Chastity, Sounds like your institution does a good job at helping you be the best teacher possible. Yes, there are many students with emotional outburst (F2F and online) due to mental impairment and I too have seen many more cases in the past 8 years. Keep up the good work! Renee Shaffer

Renee Shaffer

Discussion Comment

Course Accessibility

Chastity, Thank you for reaching out to the students. They are sometimes hard to point out but we can make such a big difference in their perserving in higher education! Renee Shaffer

Renee Shaffer

Discussion Comment

Making Content Accessible

Emry, I totally agree. Too often I hear that we should just offer students with disabilities a watered down version of the course content. How unfortunate and unequal that is! Renee Shaffer

Renee Shaffer

Discussion Comment

Accessible Hardware

Emry, Well done. Touchscreens are rising in popularity for everyone because of their ease of use. Cheers- Renee Shaffer

Renee Shaffer

Discussion Comment

Section 508

Emry, It is also a good idea to communicate with the Disability Office before the course begins even if they don't know yet that a student with a disability will be in your course. They can give you some helpful hints or ideas to make your course materials accessible even if you don't need it. Renee Shaffer

Renee Shaffer

Discussion Comment

Course Accessibility

Emry, Wonderful ideas! I love it that you send a welcome email as you are indeed correct, that it can help identify accessibility issues. It can also help the connection between the instructor and the student which can only be beneficial! Renee Shaffer

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