Universal Design in Policy Development: A Paradigm Shift

March 12, 2012 4:00pm – 5:00pm Melanie Thompson, Ed.S., Director, Center for Access-Ability Resources, Northern Illinois University Kimberly Tanner, Ed.D., Director, Access Office, Valdosta State University 2012 NASPA Annual Conference s Phoenix, Arizona s March 10–14, 2012

Welcome & Learning Objectives

• • • • Identify 7 principles of UD Define the importance of inclusive design in higher education for student learning & development Describe potential role of UD framework with policy development Delineate strengths & challenges of applying a UD framework to policy development

What is Universal Design?

• “The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design” Center for Universal Design (2010) Universal Design: – Is a goal – Is a proactive process that can be implemented in incremental steps – Is accessible, usable, and inclusive – Does not lower quality or standards Burgstahler and Cory (2008)

Principles of Universal Design

1. Equitable use 2. Flexibility in use 3. Simple and intuitive use 4. Perceptible information 5. Tolerance for error 6. Low physical effort 7. Size and space for approach and use When factored in on the front end (as design is occurring) it reduces need for retroactive fixes, or accommodations, which cost more money.

Examples of UD in Action

Equitable use: Electronic materials readable by screen reader Flexibility in use: Adjustable tables in computer labs Simple and intuitive: Clickers have text, symbols, Braille on buttons; results vocalized Perceptible information: Videos include captions

Examples of UD in Action (cont.)

Tolerance for error: Instructional software provides guidance when student makes mistake Low physical effort: Students can enter program spaces independently Size and space for approach and use: Room for wheelchairs, personal care assistants, interpreters to navigate without having to ask for help Adapted from University of Washington, Do IT Center http://www.washington.edu/doit/

Applications of UD

• • • • • Physical Spaces Learning & Instruction Technology Services Policy Development

Applying UD to Policy Development

• • • • • • • • Identify the service Define the universe Involve “consumers” Adopt guidelines/standards Apply guidelines/standards Plan for accommodations Train & support Evaluate Burgstahler & Cory (2008)

Example

• Application to revised Student Code of Conduct…

Strengths & Challenges

• • •

Strengths

Provides a framework Intuitive and inclusive process Proactive concepts • • •

Challenges

May not have time to thoroughly attend to each step Politics or conflicting agendas Limits on ability to “test” or pilot a policy prior to implementation

Thank you.

Questions?

Contact us:

Melanie Thompson [email protected]

815-753-1303 Kimberly Tanner [email protected]

229-245-2498

References

Burgstahler, S. & Cory, R. (Eds.). (2008). Universal design in higher education: From principles to practice. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press.

Center for Universal Design (2010). (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.ncsu.edu/project/design projects/udi/ Do IT Center at the University of Washington.(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.washington.edu/doit/