Instructors play an essential role in creating an accessible learning experience so that all students have the opportunity to succeed. There are many reasons instructors are making the shift toward a more accessible classroom. Here are a few to consider:
Reach More Students
Hear what students say are the biggest barriers to accessing digital content in their studies: Students Explain Digital Accessibility: Meet the Students.
Many instructors are moving toward a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) model of accessibility. UDL is a course design framework that aims to remove barriers for learning for everyone, not just those with accommodations. Learn more about it at CAST.
Visit Getting Started with Universal Design for Learning, which can provide support as you prepare for class.
Build Equity and Inclusion in Your Courses
It’s important to work to accommodate a broader spectrum of learners. One in four individuals in the U.S. report having a disability (CDC, 2023), and many of those reported are invisible disabilities, such as ADHD, specific learning disabilities, depression, asthma, or heart disease. Neurodivergent students and faculty at Cornell are currently discussing what can be done to spread awareness and reduce stigma on campus.
UDL not only allows instructors to improve access for students with accommodations but benefits all students taking your course. Visit the Office of Student Disability Services website for a resource on Creating an Accessible Course.
Save Time in the Long Run
Every student has unique needs in the classroom, and accommodation requests vary from semester to semester. Making small moves now toward incorporating UDL into your course, and updating course materials to make them more accessible, can actually save time in the long run.
Summary of Learner and Instructor Benefits
Consider the many benefits of making your courses more accessible and universally designed:
Learner Benefits
More access and inclusion in the learning environment:
- Delivers information and course content in the way learners need.
- Reduces barriers and lessens anxiety.
- Helps with a variety of accommodations.
All learners benefit, not only those with disabilities:
- Allows different ways to engage with course material.
- Accommodates those who prefer text vs. audio vs. video.
- Offers more ways for students to demonstrate knowledge and develop self-awareness.
- Gives students more options and choices on the type of assessment.
- Helps students experiencing cultural adjustment by incorporating readings, discussions or assignments that bring in the person’s local community.
Instructor Benefits
Save time in long run:
- Investing more time up front reduces the need for individualized accommodations while also removing learner barriers in course design.
- Fewer emails from students.
Get your work out into the world more easily, so more people can find it:
- Makes materials more easily findable, transferable, and reusable (e.g. you don’t have to recreate documents).
- Makes materials text reader-capable on devices, so learners can consume content on the go.
Impact multiple elements of your job:
- Make your materials part of a Broader Impacts research proposal.
- Create accessible materials or methods for a scientific area of study.