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Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities
The following recommendations can help facilitate the process of obtaining accommodations and create a learning environment that benefits all students:
1. The faculty member can make an announcement the first class meeting and include a statement on the syllabus inviting students with disabilities to meet with the faculty member during office hours to discuss accommodation needs.
Sample syllabus statement:
Any student with a documented disability needing accommodations is requested to speak directly to the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) (847-467-5530) and the instructor, as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first two weeks of class). All discussions will remain confidential.
2. Keep all disability-related material strictly confidential. At no time should the class be informed that a student has a disability, except at the student's express request. All disability information that the student gives to the faculty member is to be used specifically for the arranging of reasonable academic accommodations.
3. Make available a detailed course syllabus prior to registration.
4. Announce reading assignments well in advance for students who are using taped materials or other alternative formats. It takes four to six weeks to tape-record the average textbook.
5. Start each lecture with an outline of material to be covered. At the conclusion of class, briefly summarize key points.
6. Teach in a multi-modal format to reach all learning styles. Combine visual and auditory modalities when presenting lecture material and then create experiential learning through group work and hands-on application of the material.
7. Provide an adequate opportunity for questions and answers including review sessions.
Some of the following conditions are readily apparent, while others are not always visible to an observer. This section presents an overview of disabling conditions and the instructional strategies one can implement to enhance the accessibility of course instruction, materials, and activities.
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