The big insight or aha for me from this module was that K-12 students with disabilities have a full range of wrap around services and do not have to advocate for themselves. So personally, I would help these students develop their voice and own own advocacy skills. The online schools I teach at identify students with disabilities. Now I plan to email them throughout the course and ask them specifically explain what they need to be successful.
Alfred,
Great. Though it would be a good idea to make your resources available proactively.
Renee Shaffer
As an online instructor, I make sure my students know about the assisting resources that are available to them. I also provide them with various ways to contact me in case they have a difficult time transitioning to post-secondary education.
Yvette,
So true. Every student is unique and different and a one size fits all system doesn't usually work.
Renee Shaffer
I believe that each student should be addressed based on the disability and their needs. The instructor has to be able to abstract the individual needs of the student.
Virginia,
Do you work with your disabilities office? They can be of great help.
Renee Shaffer
As an online instructor I make notes at the beginning of the course concerning those students who may have ADA accommodations, or who may need help with visual, audio, or text. I try to post my announcements with care as to readability and draft my discussions in such a way as to include all learners.
Michael,
This is a wonderful plan. Checking in with the student will make them feel more a part of your course and also give them the sense that you care about their success in your course.
Renee Shaffer
Cyndy,
Yes, one of the biggest factors is for the instructor to take the time and effort to assist the students with disabilities to maximaize their learning. Often times, instructors don't want to take the time and the extra work involved.
Renee Shaffer
In terms of helping the student transition to the postsecondary level, the first thing I would do is to make the student aware of all the assistive technology available to help them with their current courses. The next thing I would do is check in with the office of disability services to make sure that I was doing everything I needed to do in terms of accommodations, and the last thing I would do is check in with you the student weekly to make sure that they are getting everything they need. Thank you. Mike Crowley
Being supportive, and identifying ways to assist the student in maximizing the learning process despite the disabilities. Then taking every effort to enhance the learning process and maximizing the learning process through all advantages available to the students.
Parrish,
Yes, closed captioning needs to be included. They are many companies out there which can provide the service and there really isn't a standard. Much depends on the money that the institution has. One that I heard about today is called 3PlayMedia.
Renee Shaffer
Hi Renee,
Regarding the Closed Captioning requirement of 504, I was looking for some guidance, but did not see that requirement specifically stated in the law.
I want to be sure our school is in compliance, so was the law later interpreted to require Closed Captioning specifically? Or could some other form of assistance for hearing impaired students suffice, such as transcripts of a video?
Also, if CC is required, could you please tell me what company/software is the standard for most universities? I know you cannot endorse something, so this question is just asking factually what most schools are using to your knowledge.
Thanks in advance!!!
Parrish,
Yes, post-secondary education can come as quite a shock for many students.
Renee Shaffer
As an online instructor, I would try to break down assignments and concepts in a more digestable manner as a means of assisting students with disabilities make the transition to post-secondary education. This is because this is how the student was probably successful in completing secondary school, and will work to lessen the "shock" of entering the post-secondary learning environment.
