Providing assistive technologies for teaching and learning is essential for creating an inclusive, supportive, and effective educational environment. It ensures that all students can achieve their full potential regardless of their abilities and prepares them for future success. Assistive technologies can include but are not limited to Text-to-Speech (TTS) Software which converts written text into spoken words, Speech-to-Text Software which allows students to dictate their writing instead of typing, and Smartpens which record audio while the student writes, allowing them to replay lectures and sync notes with the audio. These are just a few assistive technologies that can help promote inclusivity in teaching and learning for Students with disabilities.
Scope of Responsibilities
Faculty
Accessibility and Accommodation:
- Ensure that all course materials, including textbooks, handouts, presentations, and online resources, are accessible to Students with disabilities.
- Provide materials in alternative formats such as braille, large print, electronic text, or audio recordings.
- Collaborate with the Office of Disabilities Services and the Students to determine the most effective accommodations.
Communication and Interaction:
- Communicate openly with Students with disabilities to understand their individual needs and preferences.
- Be proactive in establishing effective modes of communication, which may include verbal descriptions of visual materials, providing advance notice of visual content, and facilitating opportunities for tactile or auditory learning experiences.
- Collaborate with the Office of Disability Services to implement appropriate accommodations and integrate assistive technologies into their teaching practices as needed.
Physical Environment:
- Faculty should ensure that the physical classroom environment is conducive to student needs.
- This may involve arranging seating to optimize visibility and acoustics, providing adequate lighting, and minimizing obstacles or hazards in the classroom.
Technology and Assistive Devices:
- Become familiar with available assistive technologies and devices that can enhance the learning experience for Students with disabilities.
- Be prepared to integrate these tools into their teaching methods and accommodate Students who use them.
- Communicate with Students with disabilities to understand their specific needs, collaborate with the Office of Disability Services and OneIT to implement appropriate accommodations, and integrate assistive technologies into their teaching practices as needed.
- Remain current, familiar, and engage with technological shifts and the needs of Students with disabilities, contacting OneIT directly at support@stevens.edu for support or training.
- Collaborate with OneIT to ensure they are familiar with the usage of technology to meet Students with disabilities' needs.
Assessment and Evaluation:
- Faculty should consider alternative methods of assessment that are accessible to Students with disabilities.
- This may include offering oral exams, providing extended time for written assignments, or allowing the use of assistive technology during tests.
- Assessment criteria should focus on the student's understanding of course material rather than their ability to perceive visual information.
Professional Development:
- Faculty are strongly encouraged to participate in professional development opportunities related to inclusive teaching practices and accessibility for Students with disabilities.
- The Office of Disability Services will provide support and resources to help faculty enhance their skills in accommodating Students with disabilities in the classroom.
- Faculty are strongly encouraged to become familiar with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL). These guidelines offer a collection of actionable suggestions that can be applied in any discipline or subject to ensure that all students can participate in and benefit from meaningful, challenging learning opportunities.
OneIT (Division of Information Technology) - Technical Support
Technology Support:
- Provide technical support and expertise to ensure that classroom technologies and online resources are accessible to Students with disabilities.
- Work closely with Faculty and the Office of Disability Services to identify and address accessibility barriers in technology-enhanced learning environments.
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Ensure the following are functional, accessible, and current;
- Educational software (Office of Learning Technology, Client Support Services)
- Learning management systems (Office of Learning Technology)
- Multimedia presentations (Academic Multimedia Services)
- Classroom technology (Academic Multimedia Services)
- Training prior to semester strongly recommended (offered in person or virtually via appointment)
- Documentation/User guides/Videos (Academic Multimedia Services/Client Experiences)
- Devices (i.e. laptops, tablets, mobile devices etc. Client Support Services)
Resource Materials:
- Collaborate with vendors to ensure that new technologies and digital resources meet accessibility standards and requirements.
- Evaluate the accessibility features of emerging and assistive technology tools before purchasing and overseeing their integration into the classroom and learning technology infrastructure.
- Distribute resource materials to Faculty scheduled to teach Students with disabilities prior to every semester.
Training and Awareness:
- Offer training sessions via support@stevens.edu to ensure Faculty are familiar with technical setups/processes and that devices, classroom technology, and learning technologies are accessible and functional to meet Faculty needs.
- Provide guidance on creating accessible digital content, designing inclusive online learning experiences, and incorporating accessibility features into technology platforms.
Collaboration with Disability Services:
- Collaborate closely with the Office of Disability Services to support the technological accommodation needs of Students with disabilities.
- Provide technical expertise and guidance on implementing assistive technology solutions, ensuring the seamless integration of technology and accessibility services.
Continuous Improvement:
- Engage in ongoing evaluation and improvement efforts to enhance the accessibility of technology resources and digital platforms.
- Monitor emerging accessibility trends and technologies, solicit feedback from users, and implement updates and enhancements to improve accessibility and usability for all Students.
Students
Communication and Collaboration:
- Communicate openly with faculty and the Office of Disability Services about your individual needs and preferences.
- Participate actively in discussions about the accommodations and assistive technologies that best support your learning.
- Provide timely feedback on the effectiveness of the accommodation provided and any adjustments needed.
Utilization of Assistive Technologies:
- Become familiar with the assistive technologies available and understand how to use them effectively.
- Request necessary training or support for using assistive devices and technologies from the Office of Disability Services or OneIT.
- Use the provided assistive technologies responsibly and report any issues or malfunctions to the appropriate support team.
Engagement with Course Materials:
- Ensure access to course materials in formats that meet Student needs (e.g., braille, large print, electronic text, audio recordings).
- Notify faculty and the Office of Disability Services promptly if course materials are not accessible
Participation in Classroom Environment:
- Communicate any specific needs regarding the physical classroom environment, such as seating arrangements or lighting requirements, to faculty and the Office of Disability Services.
- Take advantage of opportunities for tactile or auditory learning experiences as provided by the faculty.
Assessment and Evaluation:
- Discuss alternative assessment methods with faculty if standard methods do not accommodate specific needs.
- Utilize allowed accommodations, such as extended time or oral exams, and inform faculty if adjustments are necessary.
Professional Development:
- Stay informed about new assistive technologies and resources that could benefit the learning experience.
- Participate in training sessions or workshops offered by the Office of Disability Services to enhance skills in using assistive technologies.
Feedback and Continuous Improvement:
- Provide constructive feedback to the Office of Disability Services and faculty regarding the effectiveness of current accommodations and technologies.
- Participate in surveys or discussions aimed at improving the overall accessibility and quality of support services.
Office of Disability Services
Accommodation, Evaluation and Coordination:
- Evaluate the accommodation technological needs of Students with disabilities and coordinate the provision of appropriate accommodations in collaboration with faculty, OneIT, communication channels, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Collaborate and coordinate with OneIT to distribute any additional technology (i.e. laptops, tablets, software, etc.) needed to support the faculty and Students with disabilities for teaching and learning.
- Coordinate with Faculty, Students, and OneIT to offer assistive technology support to Faculty and Students with disabilities, including training, troubleshooting, and assistance with acquiring and using assistive technology tools and devices.
- Facilitating the provision of accessible digital course materials.
- Providing guidance and support to Faculty in accommodating Students with disabilities.
Accessibility Consultation and Guidance:
- Provide consultation and guidance to Faculty, OneIT, and other stakeholders on accessibility best practices and compliance with accessibility standards.
- The Office of Disability Services will collaborate closely with Faculty, OneIT, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that all technological accommodations are effectively implemented, and Students have equal access to educational opportunities.
Advocacy and Representation:
- Work collaboratively with faculty, OneIT, communication channels, and other stakeholders to promote awareness and understanding of accessibility issues and ensure that Students with disabilities receive equitable treatment and support for classroom and learning technology needs.
Collaborative Partnerships:
- Facilitate communication and collaboration among all parties involved in accommodating Students with disabilities, ensuring effective coordination and implementation of accommodations relating to teaching and learning technological needs.
Continuous Improvement and Evaluation:
- Evaluate the accessibility of existing accommodations, soliciting feedback from Students and stakeholders, and implementing updates and enhancements to improve the overall accessibility and quality of support services.
- Review guidelines yearly engaging all stakeholders to assess Faculty engagement, student satisfaction, emerging technologies, and all other relevant information to improve the support of Students with disabilities.
Effective Communication:
- Establish and maintain effective communication among faculty, OneIT, the Office of Disability Services, and other relevant stakeholders involved in accommodating Students with disabilities.
- Communicate with Faculty prior to semester to evaluate technological needs for instruction.
Compliance:
- Faculty participation in training sessions and workshops on accessibility and assistive technologies will be tracked to ensure faculty remain current and engaged with the needs of Students with disabilities.
- OneIT will conduct regular accessibility testing of classroom technologies, online resources, and digital tools to identify and address accessibility barriers.
- Feedback from all stakeholders regarding the accessibility of technology resources and usage will be collected and used to guide improvement efforts.
- The Office of Disability Services will provide regular reports on compliance with accessibility requirements and the status of accommodation efforts of relevant stakeholders.
- The importance and recommendation of compliance will be relayed to all Deans and Faculty scheduled to teach Students with disabilities, by the Dean of Undergraduate Education prior to every semester.
Contact Information
Phillip Gehman pgehman@stevens.edu
Harry Ortiz hortiz@stevens.edu
Michael Scalero mscalero@stevens.edu
Eve Riskin eriskin@stevens.edu
Resources
IT Support
support@stevens.edu
201-380-6599
Knowledge Base & Training
Classroom Technology Knowledge Base
Microsoft Teams KB - coming soon!
Training Video - coming soon!
ADA Compliance and Guidelines
Guide to Disabilities Rights Laws: https://www.ada.gov/resources/disability-rights-guide/
Universal Guide for Learning: https://udlguidelines.cast.org/
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