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Learning Disabilities. Online Accommodations. Introduction. 10-15% of student population on average campus acknowledges a disability 29% of that group report having a learning disability LD students fastest growing group of students with disabilities on college campuses. Introduction.
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Learning Disabilities Online Accommodations
Introduction • 10-15% of student population on average campus acknowledges a disability • 29% of that group report having a learning disability • LD students fastest growing group of students with disabilities on college campuses
Introduction • 85% of jobs require at least some education beyond high school, compared with 61% in 1991 • Nearly 1/10th of online users in general have disabilities
Introduction • Estimated 500,000 students with disabilities are enrolled in higher ed (as of 2001) • Students with disabilities are served by 98% of 2 yr and 4 yr public institutions, 63% of private 4 yr institutions, 47% of private 2 yr institutions
Introduction • Graduation rate for students with LD is only 3.5% compared to 62.1% for students without LD
Definition of Learning Disabilities • No one universal definition • Generally, cognitive impairment that makes learning difficult. • Usually involves difficulties with written communication and sometimes with memorization
Accommodation Difficulties • Lack of technical expertise • Lack of access to necessary files • Limitations within LMS • Inexperience with accommodations online
Common LD Difficulties • Poor reading comprehension/speed • Spelling difficulties • Rote memorization and recall extremely difficult for some LD students
Common LD Difficulties • Extreme fatigue caused by reading • Headaches caused by reading • Written text can move or “shimmer” • Difficulty resuming tasks when interrupted
Common LD Difficulties • Working memory difficulties Organization difficulties • Difficulties with math (often to the point of phobia) • Difficulties with listening and understanding verbal information
Why are Accommodations Important? • Americans with Disabilities Act covers learning disabilities as well as physical and mental disabilities • Section 508 also includes learning disabilities • Students should not be restricted from learning simply because they have a learning disability.
Section 508 Requires federal agencies to implement standards to ensure that ”individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a federal agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities…”
Most common accommodations • Modified assignments • Modified tests • More time on assignments • More time on tests
Instructional Design suggestions • Use Word docs for notes and long reading assignments. Students can modify background colors, font face, font size, line spacing, etc. • Break content into smaller modules. Put all files/materials related to each module together.
Instructional Design suggestions • Make sure that information is presented in multiple formats (text, multimedia files, images, etc). • Include written scripts of all audio and video materials. • Make course notes and PowerPoint shows available to students in advance.
WebCT suggestions • Selective release • Group manager • Test settings • Assignment settings • Learning modules
Contact information Mary Dziorny Technical trainer/WebCT Support The University of Texas at Dallas Mary.dziorny@utdallas.edu
