Universal Design and Accommodations
When the wide variety of characteristics of potential users of facilities, services, and information resources are considered in the design process, they are more accessible to everyone. This process is called universal design. Universal design reduces, but does not eliminate, the need for accommodations for specific students. The best accommodations are unique to the individual and develop from a cooperative relationship between the student, instructor, staff, employer, and/or disability service provider.
In this area of the AccessCAREERS website, you will learn strategies for fully including students with disabilities in internships and other work-based learning activities. You will also read case studies and answers to questions frequently asked about accommodating students with disabilities in academic programs and careers. The section on universal design tells how to be proactive in creating an inclusive environment, and the one on accommodations addresses issues regarding individuals with specific types of disabilities. Much of the content is duplicated in other publications, training materials, and web pages published by DO-IT.
Access the content in the areas of interest to you.
- Postsecondary Instruction - How faculty members can implement universal design considerations as they teach as well as accommodate students with disabilities.
(http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/) - Postsecondary Student Services - How student services staff and administrators can assure their programs are accessible.
(http://www.washington.edu/doit/Conf/rr_background_accomm_ud.html) - Precollege Instruction - How precollege instructors can assure access to students with disabilities.
(http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/working.k12.html) - Employers - How employers, career preparation offices, and students with disabilities can work together to assure access to work-based learning programs for students with disabilities.
(http://www.washington.edu/doit/Video/fndgld.html) - To search for case studies and frequently asked questions regarding this topic, consult the searchable AccessCAREERS Knowledge Base.
(http://www.washington.edu/doit/Careers/kb.html)