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Disability Awareness and Support

Mary Goldberg

The goal of this course is to promote equal opportunity and the full participation of students with disabilities in higher education by helping participants advance their awareness of the meaning of accessibility in education. Participants will gain competence and confidence in working with students by focusing on legislation, universal design, and assistive technologies. Thank you to Abbas (Bobby) Husain Quamar, Graduate Student Researcher in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at the University of Pittsburgh, for his contributions to the course.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Students come to our higher education classrooms with a wide variety of knowledge, skills, talents, and abilities. As educators, we want all of our students to be successful and feel supported in an inclusive learning environment. Many of our students have disabilities that they may or may not disclose to faculty and staff. Typically, the process of providing required documentation and identifying appropriate accommodations is a collaborative effort between the student and the disability services staff. Faculty are not a part of this process and may not be aware of the rationale or implications. In this week, we will begin with an introduction to students with disabilities. Week 1 highlights the key United States legislation that relates to higher education students with disabilities and describes the process of obtaining support services.

Accommodations and Assistive Technology

This week we describe the process used for deciding on reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and the role of Disability Services in making this determination. We identify specific accommodations that students with disabilities might need in order to fully participate in life at the university.

Accessible Design

In Weeks 1 and 2, we reviewed disability definitions and legislation, plus the disability services, accommodations, and technologies that you might find on your college campus. In Week 3, we focus on the design and development of your course materials. We use the term “universal design” to emphasize the inclusive design of instruction to make it meaningful and useful for all students. We also look at best practices for documents such as using clear fonts, organizing text with headings, and describing images with alternative text.

Application

Please read the following case studies and respond to the corresponding questions on the discussion boards.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores key United States legislation that relates to higher education students with disabilities

Describes the process of obtaining support services for students with disabilities

Focuses on the design and development of course materials to make them meaningful and useful for all students

Instructors are recognized for their work in the field of disability services

Promotes the full participation of students with disabilities in higher education

Teaches skills and knowledge that are highly relevant to students working with students with disabilities

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Reviews summary

Informative disability awareness course

Learners say this disability awareness course is informative and a must-take for teachers. The course appears to be helpful and resourceful. Reviews were largely positive, though some did not include any written feedback.

This course may be useful for teachers.

"I recommend that teachers must take this course as it is very resourceful and informative."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Disability Awareness and Support. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Disability Awareness and Support will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teachers work with students who have disabilities. They develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) for each student, and they work with students to help them reach their academic and developmental goals. Completion of "Disability Awareness and Support" would demonstrate a foundational understanding of the legal and ethical dimensions of educating students with disabilities, and it would also introduce candidates to essential strategies for working with students who have been diagnosed with different types of disabilities.

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Disability Advocate

Disability Advocates work to protect the rights of people with disabilities. They may work for non-profit organizations, government agencies, or law firms. Coursework in "Disability Awareness and Support" would provide an excellent foundation for a career as a Disability Advocate, as it provides candidates with a comprehensive introduction to the legal and ethical dimensions of disability, as well as strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals.

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Learning Specialist

Learning Specialists work with students who have learning disabilities. They help students develop strategies to overcome their challenges and succeed in school. Many Learning Specialists go on to become special education teachers. Coursework in "Disability Awareness and Support" would provide a solid foundation for a career as a Learning Specialist. This course introduces the major categories of disabilities, the legislation that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities, and strategies for supporting students with disabilities in higher education settings.

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Disability Policy Analyst

Disability Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies that affect people with disabilities. They work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, and think tanks. "Disability Awareness and Support" coursework would provide a solid foundation for this career, as it introduces candidates to the major categories of disabilities, the legislation that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities, and strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals.

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Rehabilitation Counselor

Rehabilitation Counselors help people with disabilities to live independently and achieve their goals. They work with clients to develop rehabilitation plans, provide support and counseling, and connect them with resources. "Disability Awareness and Support" coursework would provide a solid foundation for this career, as it introduces candidates to the major categories of disabilities, the legislation that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities, and strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals.

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Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors help people with disabilities to find and keep jobs. They work with clients to assess their skills and interests, develop job training plans, and place them in jobs. "Disability Awareness and Support" coursework would be useful for this role by providing vocational rehabilitation counselors with a better understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities in finding and keeping a job.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers develop and deliver educational materials and programs. They work with subject matter experts to create learning materials that are engaging and effective. "Disability Awareness and Support" could be useful for this role by providing instructional designers with a better understanding of the needs of students with disabilities and how to create accessible learning materials. A strong grasp of assistive technologies and accessible design, as taught in "Disability Awareness and Support," is highly valued in the field of Instructional Design.

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Disability Services Coordinator

Disability Services Coordinators work with students with disabilities to ensure that they have the accommodations and support they need to succeed in higher education. Coursework from "Disability Awareness and Support" could help a candidate for this role by providing them with a holistic view of the types of disabilities that students might experience and how institutions of higher education are required to support them.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists work with people who have difficulty communicating. They assess and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. "Disability Awareness and Support" coursework could be useful for this role by providing speech-language pathologists with a better understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

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Physical Therapist

Physical Therapists help people who have difficulty moving or performing physical activities due to injury, illness, or disability. They work with patients to improve their range of motion, strength, and balance. "Disability Awareness and Support" coursework could be useful for this role by providing physical therapists with a better understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists help people who have difficulty performing everyday activities due to physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. They work with patients to improve their physical function, cognitive skills, and ability to perform daily activities. "Disability Awareness and Support" coursework could be useful for this role by providing occupational therapists with a better understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

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School Counselor

School Counselors work with students to help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They provide counseling and support to students with disabilities, as well as students who are facing other challenges. "Disability Awareness and Support" coursework could be useful for this role by providing school counselors with a better understanding of the needs of students with disabilities.

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Higher Education Administrator

Higher Education Administrators oversee the day-to-day operations of colleges and universities. They work with faculty, staff, and students to ensure that the institution is running smoothly and that students are getting the support they need to succeed. They may also work with external stakeholders, such as government agencies and donors, to build relationships and secure funding. "Disability Awareness and Support" coursework teaches higher education administrators about legal and ethical considerations related to disability, which is essential for ensuring that they are creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

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Academic Advisor

Academic Advisors work one-on-one with students to assist them with the transition process into and out of an academic institution. They help plan out a student's path to degree completion, help students overcome challenges, and help them develop responsible decision-making skills. This "Disability Awareness and Support" course may be useful for Academic Advisors. Disability Awareness training can help them to better understand the needs of students with disabilities and to develop strategies to support them. It can also help them to create a more inclusive learning environment for all students.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee the human resources department of an organization. They are responsible for recruiting, hiring, and training employees. They also develop and implement policies and procedures related to employee benefits, compensation, and performance management. "Disability Awareness and Support" could be useful for this role by providing managers with a better understanding of the needs of employees with disabilities and how to create a more inclusive workplace.

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Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Disability Awareness and Support.

The Biopolitics of Disability

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Provides a historical overview of disability and higher education in the United States. It useful reference for understanding the legal and social context of disability.

The Matter of Disability: Materiality, Biopolitics,...

Paperback

The Biopolitics of Disability: Neoliberalism,...

Paperback

$$$

The Matter of Disability: Materiality, Biopolitics,...

Kindle Edition

Exceptional Learners

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Provides a practical guide to inclusive teaching, which is the practice of teaching students with disabilities in general education classrooms. It valuable resource for any educator who wants to create a more inclusive learning environment.

Disability Awareness and Support

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Informative disability awareness course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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