Universal Design

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What is Universal Design?

Universal design in education is the recognition that a particular accommodation that improves access for students requiring accommodations due to an underlying medical condition may also benefit all students. As such, courses and student resources should be designed with accessibility, usability, and inclusiveness in mind with the broader goal of addressing the variety of characteristics and diverse attributes of all students. When these ideals are built into the development of a program, then all students will be able to participate more freely without special accommodations.

Universal design is not an instant fix you overlay on top of existing pedagogical structures but a continuous process of improvement that grows and changes over time and with experience. As ideas and new technologies arise, Sonoran University will continuously strive to determine better ways to achieve these goals.

Working with the Academic Department, the Accessibility Office has identified accommodations that are being incorporated into the everyday experiences of students as Universal Design:

  • All course content is published for the upcoming week as soon as it is available.
  • Any student may use an ergonomic support item(s) in the classroom and request/reserve a standing desk (preference given to those with a medical necessity), provided it doesn't interfere with course activities, disrupt others, or is used during a test.
  • All students may, in a non-disruptive manner, alternate between sitting and standing as required, except during a test.
  • All students may eat and drink in the classroom (labs and clinic examination rooms are excluded), in a non-disruptive manner, except when an allergy restriction has been identified for that classroom.
  • All students are allowed to wear specialized glassware as needed where fluorescent light covers are not in use.
  • All students may schedule one-on-one meetings with faculty during office hours.
  • Recorded content is made available to all students.
  • All students may request an Excused Absence with symptoms.
  • All students may submit assignments using APA format.
  • All students may create and/or submit assignments in an accessible document type.
  • All students may use voice-to-text software to complete written assignments (ADA Accommodation is needed for tests).
  • When faculty post recorded lectures, they include auto-generated captions (not all content is recorded).
  • Any student may exceed the minimum established Sonoran campus health and safety requirements.
  • All students may use color overlay gels on didactic tests, written documents, and computer screens (ADA Accommodation needed for tests).
  • All students may use a private space, as available, for any reason.

Contact the Accessibility Office if you have input and suggestions on ways to improve Universal Design or if you have any questions or difficulties with implementing any universal design items.

 

Resources

For additional information on Universal Design we have provided additional literature for your review: