Accessibility Commons^™

Classroom Readiness For Successful Inclusion: Teacher Factors And Preschool Children’S Experience With And Attitudes Toward Peers With Disabilities, Kyong-Ah Kwon, Soo-Young Hong, Hyun-Joo Jeon

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

The current study examined (1) associations among teachers’ experiences regarding children with disabilities (i.e., education, specialized training, years of work experience), their attitudes toward disabilities, and their classroom practices in relation to inclusion and (2) associations among children’s attitudes toward peers with disabilities and child and teacher factors. Ninety-one 4- and 5-year-old children participated in an interview, and their teachers completed a survey. Teachers’ specialized training and bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (ECE) were positively associated with their inclusive practices in the classroom; teachers’ bachelor’s degree in ECE and experiences working with children with disabilities were positively associated with …

“There Is Nothing Inherently Mysterious About Assistive Technology”: A Qualitative Study About Blind User Experiences In Us Academic Libraries, Adina Mulliken

Publications and Research

Eighteen academic library users who are blind were interviewed about their experiences with academic libraries and the libraries’ websites using an open-ended questionnaire and recorded telephone interviews. The study approaches these topics from a user-centered perspective, with the idea that blind users themselves can provide particularly reliable insights into the issues and potential solutions that are most critical to them. Most participants used reference librarians’ assistance, and most had positive experiences. High-level screen reader users requested help with specific needs. A larger number of participants reported contacting a librarian because of feeling overwhelmed by the library website. In some cases, …

Developing Conceptual Understanding And Procedural Fluency In Algebra For High School Students With Intellectual Disability, Andrew J. Wojcik

Theses and Dissertations

Teaching students with Intellectual Disability (ID) is a relatively new endeavor. Beginning in 2001 with the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, the general education curriculum integrated algebra across the K-12 curriculum (Kendall, 2011; National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010), and expansion of the curriculum included five intertwined skills (productive disposition, procedural fluency, strategic competence, adaptive reasoning, and conceptual understanding) (Kilpatrick, Swafford, & Findell, 2001). Researchers are just beginning to explore the potential of students with ID with algebra (Browder, Spooner, Ahlgrim-Delzell, Harris & Wakeman, 2008; Creech-Galloway, Collins, Knight, …

Accessibility And Technology: Remote Access To Art Through Telepresence Robotics, Jenna M. Hebert

Master's Projects and Capstones

This capstone project details a proposal for a remote tour pilot program and community partnership written for the Art Institute of Chicago, Snow City Arts and the John H Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County. The proposal seeks to provide a model for remote accessibility to art museums for visitors with mobility disabilities. The pilot program utilizes telepresence technology as a tool for providing remote tours and for emulating the social benefits of a museum visit. Within the program, telepresence technology becomes a mechanism for communication and collaboration between the museum and members of the community, allowing individuals previously unable …

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Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

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Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities (JSESD)

The Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities is a multi-disciplinary, peer-reviewed journal with an international focus on providing information on science education for students with varying types and levels of disabilities. We aspire to publish the best of theoretical research and practical application and we review articles by both special and general educators. Interesting topics have included innovative curricular ideas, instructional adaptations, research-based modifications, best practices, and management issues in science education.

Copyright Statement

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Publication rights to works is granted to Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, however, full copyright for works published in this journal is retained by the author(s). The author(s) may post their works online in an institutional repository, on their University departmental website, or on their own personal websites

Work And Community Engagement: Shifting Services And Supports To Help Individuals Have The Lives They Want, Cindy Thomas, Amie Lulinski, Jennifer Sulewski, Erin Leviton, Thinkwork! At The Institute For Community Inclusion At Umass Boston

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

Significant change is underway to insure that services maximize opportunities for full engagement in the community. This session includes two projects, the RRTC on Advancing Employment for Individual with IDD and the Community Life Engagement Project and panelists from MA and DC to discuss the implications of research findings on service transformation and the integration of work and non-work supports to support individuals to have full and productive lives.

'New Conversations About Integrated Employment' Webinars Shine A Fresh Light On Issues In Our Field, Melanie Jordan, Allison Cohen Hall, Thinkwork! At The Institute For Community Inclusion At Umass Boston

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

This poster session highlights creative thinking about employment supports. The RRTC on Advancing Employment for Individuals with IDD has launched an interactive and dynamic webinar series with a twist ? to expose participants to new ideas, provoke reactions, and inspire them to think differently about such topics as Employment Professionals as Leaders for Change; the Real Meaning of Informed Choice; and Reframing the Benefits Conversation Around Financial Well-Being.

I Am Here For A Reason. I Need To Focus. I Need To Learn So I Can Reach My Goal: Self-Advocacy And Motivation As Contributors To The Experiences Of College Students With Physical Disabilities, Latrecha Kasha Scott

Dissertations

Although researchers have studied “the role of self-determination in facilitating transition planning and services, very little is known about the impact of those supports and services from the students’ perspective once they are in postsecondary settings” (Getzel & Thoma, 2008). In addition, literature was limited regarding the impact of self-determination from the student perspective after enrollment into higher education (Denhart, 2008; Fuller, Bradley & Healey, 2004; Getzel & Thoma, 2008). Using a qualitative design, this study explores the contributions of self-advocacy and motivation to the experiences of higher education students with physical disabilities. The purpose of this study was to …

An Examination Of Accessible Hands-On Science Learning Experiences, Self-Confidence In One’S Capacity To Function In The Sciences, And Motivation And Interest In Scientific Studies And Careers., Mick D. Isaacson, Cary Supalo, Michelle Michaels, Alan Roth

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

This study examined the potential relationship of accessible hands-on science learning experiences to the development of positive beliefs concerning one’s capacity to function in the sciences and motivation to consider science as a college major and career. Findings from Likert survey items given before and after engaging in accessible hands-on science laboratories show that students who were blind or had low vision (BLV) were more likely to agree with the following items after engaging in accessible science experiences: 1) I plan on enrolling as a science major in college; 2) My educational experiences, so far, have given me the …

Technology Use In Secondary Chemistry And Physics Classrooms In Kentucky, Justin M. Elswick

Posters-at-the-Capitol

As the presence of technology grows, so does its importance and usefulness to chemistry and physics education. This study focused on how technology is being used in secondary chemistry and physics classrooms across Kentucky and its perceived classroom effects. Using SurveyMonkey, 74 secondary chemistry and physics teaches in 34 Kentucky school districts were asked about the kinds of technology they used in their classrooms and in what way(s) they used technology. The survey response was 23% (N=17). Survey results indicated that teachers used videos, various apps and websites, cell phones, tablets, lab aids, and SMARTboards in their classrooms. Teachers reported …

Monitoring And Strengthening Reading Comprehension For All Students, Claire Vanostenbridge

Inclusion Across the Lifespan Conference

The goal of this professional development is to enhance teacher knowledge of how to strengthen reading comprehension of students based on their needs as determined by formative assessment.

Perspectives From Think College Students On Inclusive Practices At The Collegiate Level, Scot Rademaker, Madison K. Oliver

Inclusion Across the Lifespan Conference

Promoting inclusion at all levels of education is crucial in the process of positively influencing and encouraging student learning both for students with disabilities and their peers. This presentation will provide information about the Think College program and include perspectives from Think College students and their college peers about their experiences. Participants should be able to understand more about the Think College program, but more importantly gain an understanding about how the experiences within the program impact students’ lives.

Co-Teaching Is Like A Marriage: Sometimes Arranged, Elizabeth Reyes

Inclusion Across the Lifespan Conference

How do educators who co-teach survive if 50% of all marriages end in divorce? Choosing the right strategies and putting in hard work can make it happen. When co-teachers plan and develop their relationship, the synergy manifests in student success. Keeping eyes on the educational goals for students can keep disagreements to a minimum. This session will focus on what is needed to begin co-teaching and how to keep the relationship going.

Team Inclusion: 10 Ways Parents Add Value, Liz Mcbride

Inclusion Across the Lifespan Conference

Here’s an ongoing success story of how taking an “all hands on deck” team approach with parents, teachers, and support resources makes breakthroughs in learning and life for a child with autism. Learn 10 specific ways parents can be utilized in accelerating inclusion.

Pull Don't Pour" Using Oral Language And The Power Of Dialogue To Shape Intellectual Capacity, Janice Elam Carter

Inclusion Across the Lifespan Conference

For students who struggle to learn it is difficult to confidently participate verbally in class discussions, make recitations, or simply respond to questions posed orally. Let's build a sense of intellectual curiosity by using Socratic questioning, drawing out of the student rather than simply pouring information in. Help students extract meaning from the text with the assistance of an expert mediator, not a worksheet. Participant Objectives: Historically, teaching has included lecturing, dispensing information and imparting knowledge to our students. The primary "student talk" in the classroom had been recitation. It has been found that this method inhibits student thinking. Participants …

Walk This Way, Diana Smith, Cindy Funderburk

Inclusion Across the Lifespan Conference

Do you wonder what skills are needed for students to be successful in general education? Why do special education students struggle in regular education? This session will focus on how learning walks can help you answer these questions. Attendees will participate in a mock learning walk and protocol to provide you with a first-hand experience to take back to your school. Join us for a walk on the wild side!

Participant Objectives

1. Define learning walk
2. Be able to set norms and expectations for this type of professional learning
3. Facilitate conversation within a team of people to determine take-aways from a …

Studying Medicine With Dyslexia: A Collaborative Autoethnography, Sebastian C.K. Shaw, John L. Anderson, Alec J. Grant

The Qualitative Report

The topic of this article is the experience of the impact of dyslexia on medical studies, explored using a collaborative autoethnographic methodological approach. The study was prompted by an initial and ongoing full search of the literature, which revealed an absence of autoethnographic research into the experiences of medical students with dyslexia. It has four aims: to provide an in-depth, multi-layered account of the impact of dyslexia on a UK undergraduate medical student; to help other students and academic support staff in similar situations; to outline improvements that could be made to medical and other educational curricula and examination procedures, …

Patient Organizations And Primary Care Development: Reflections By Patients With Chronic Diseases, Britta E. Berglund, Irene Westerlund

Patient Experience Journal

To explore how patients with chronic diseases, as well as members of patient organizations, perceive primary care and how they think about how to participate in primary care development. Focus group interviews with 28 patients in three regions in Sweden were conducted. We identified four themes: Availability of care, How to be met by professionals, Information needs and Continuity and prevention in care. Important was to meet the same doctor at every visit and to be met with empathy and knowledge about your disease. Suggestions about better use of technical information services, introduction of a coordinator in the waiting room …

Smartsignplay: Lily Learns American Sign Language, Jeremiah Doody

DHI Digital Projects Showcase

Many children are born either wholly or partially deaf, leaving parents to wonder how they can communicate with, and teach their child. For a hearing parent, unfamiliar with American Sign Language (ASL), traditional methods can be exasperating. Additional methods are helpful to reinforce this learning process. The teaching method needs to be effective, yet easy enough for a 2 year old to pick up. Likewise, the premise needs to actually hold the child’s attention. SmartSignPlay was proposed as an interactive smartphone, or tablet, game designed to make teaching ASL easier and fun. The game was to be point and click, …