A New Approach to Improving Education and Training Services for Tertiary Students with Disabilities
A Report to the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training
The information and data from the literature review, the survey of teaching staff and the survey of disability services staff provide a basis for the development of resources that can be used to raise awareness among teachers, students and disability staff of the benefits and potential risks of FTL methods. To date the project has resulted in the following outcomes:
- The wide dissemination of evidence that addressing service needs from a delivery standpoint is an effective and efficient means of improving the learning environments of student with disabilities. A paper outlining the results of the literature review and the theoretical basis of the project was presented at the Australasian Association for Research in Education Conference in December 2001. A paper on the project has also been accepted for the pathways 6 conference on Disability in Higher Education for later this year.
- The development of a staff development model to support the implementation of alternative modes and practices that increase flexibility in the learning environment. The key findings from the project have been developed into an initial outline for a staff development package that will raise awareness of these issues and provide information and practical support for teaching staff wanting to explore further the potential benefits offered by FTL methods such as UDL. These outlines will be available on the web site that has been developed out of the project.
- An on-line resource for academic staff and disability officers on the benefits of flexible program delivery. The development of a web site entitled, “ Universal Design for Learning: Accessible programme design and Delivery in Higher Education” is completed but stills needs further evaluation. This site will be a major practical resource for teaching staff and disability service staff in universities and TAFE colleges in Western Australia. It includes practical information on UDL and FTL as well as a reading room, staff development resources, case studies, checklists and web-development guidelines.
- The development of a best practice site with examples of delivery models to assist course designers and teachers in the structuring of their program delivery methods. This outcome will also form part of the on-line resources available to teaching staff as well as course designers and CIT resource personnel. This part of the web site will need further evaluation and development.
These outcomes will have an important state and national significance in that they will stimulate and support the move to a more equitable and efficient delivery of education services to tertiary students with disabilities. They will also raise awareness about some of the dangers of flexible delivery for students with particular disabilities. Instead of students needing to accommodate inflexible teaching practices (a state which the current model of service delivery supports) it is hoped that the results and resources developed through this project will assist in the move towards more flexible and accessible academic and education programmes. This approach will have application in areas such as staff development, teaching and learning strategies, and policy and planning considerations, e.g. those sections of disability action plans dealing with communication and the delivery of information. It is recommended that the further evaluation and development of the site be undertaken by the State Disability Liaison Office officer for Western Australia.