Innovation through Integration:

Rebranding Accessibility for Higher Ed

Antonia Levy & Christopher Leydon
CUNY IT Conference 2015

Outline
1. Diversity and Inclusivity at CUNY
2. Universal Design in Learning (UDL) as a framework
for addressing diversity
3. The principles of UDL with examples
4. Helpful Resources & References

Accessibility
Campus facilities are not the only places of public
accommodation in the University.
Electronic and Information Technology (EIT)
Websites & Web Content
Forms (admissions, human resources, etc.)
Databases & Applications
Library Resources
Learning Management System (LMS)

Diversity and Inclusivity

CUNY is a diverse institution that serves a diverse
population of students.
Diversity is an asset, particularly in intellectual pursuits.
Disability is one of many aspects of our diversity and, as
such, contributes to the variety of perspectives..

Diversity and Inclusivity

Considerations include level of ability to move, see,
hear, read, learn, and process information; stature;
age; race; ethnicity; culture; socio-economic status;
learning style and preference; dexterity; native
language; intelligence; and gender. Everyone has
different abilities that are likely to change over the
course of a lifetime. (Burgstahler 2008: 7)

Diversity and Inclusivity

Additional considerations for CUNY:
First generation college students
Adult / returning students
Underprepared students
English language learners
Working / professional students
Family / caregiver responsibilities
Mobile access for websites and LMS

Universal Design (UD)

Originally developed for commercial products and architectural
design with the intention to design for all beyond mere
accommodations.
Design should be
equitable & flexible,
simple & intuitive,
tolerant & accessible
to the greatest extent possible,
without the need for adaptation.

Universal Design in Learning (UDL)

Making all aspects of education accessible to the
widest possible range of users.
Inclusive for a variety of
life experiences, knowledge,
skills and abilities, learning
preferences, concentration
levels, etc.

UDL v. Accommodations
Accommodation means offering a reactive
adjustment or modification to make an environment
accessible to an individual with a disability.
UDL is a proactive approach which seeks to make
participation in an inclusive setting possible for
everyone, from the start.

Principles of Universal Design

1. Equitable Use
Design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.
Guidelines:
Provide same means of use for all users:
identical whenever possible; equivalent when not.
Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users.
Make the design appealing to all users.
Provision for privacy and safety should be equally available.

Principles of Universal Design

2. Flexibility in Use
Design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences
and abilities.
Guidelines
Provide choice in methods of use.
Accommodate right- and left-handed
access and use.
Facilitate users accuracy and precision.
Provide adaptability of the users space.

Principles of Universal Design

3. Simple and Intuitive
Use of design is easy to understand, regardless of users
experience, knowledge, or language skills.
Guidelines
Eliminate unnecessary complexity.
Be consistent with user experience and intuition.
Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills.
Arrange information to be consistent with its importance.

Principles of Universal Design

4. Perceptible Information
Design communicates necessary information effectively to the
user, regardless of ambient conditions or the users sensory
abilities.
Guidelines
Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant
presentation of essential information
Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used
by people with sensory limitations

Principles of Universal Design

5. Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of
accidental or unintended actions.
Guidelines
Arrange elements to minimize
hazards and errors
Provide fail-safe features
Discourage unconscious action in
tasks that require vigilance

Principles of Universal Design

6. Low Physical Effort
The design can be used efficiently, comfortably, and with a
minimum of fatigue.
Guidelines
Allow users to maintain a neutral
body position
Use reasonable operating forces
Minimize repetitive options
Minimize sustained physical effort

Principles of Universal Design

7. Size and Space for Approach and Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, and
use, regardless of users body size, posture, or mobility..
Guidelines
Provide a clear line of sight to important
elements for seated or standing user
Make reach to all components
comfortable for seated or standing user
Accommodate variations for hand and
grip size

Innovation through Integration

Integrating Universal Design in Learning (UDL) principles is
an innovative approach to both meeting the legal mandate
of accessibility and ensuring equality and inclusivity.
Raise awareness and the workflow will follow.

Helpful Resources & References

Helpful Resources & References

Information
Technology
http://goo.gl/DTj54w

Helpful Resources & References

Web Accessibility
Guidelines
http://goo.gl/GZwn7F

Helpful Resources & References

Instruction,
incl. curriculum
and assessment

http://goo.gl/vw5QmO

Helpful Resources & References

Student Services
http://goo.gl/ff32Ov

Helpful Resources & References

Physical Spaces
http://goo.gl/tSr5rJ

References
Burgstahler, S. E. (2008). Universal Design in Higher Education. In:
Universal Design in Higher Education: From Principles to Practice.
Ed. S. E. Burgstahler & R. C. Cory. Cambridge, MA: Harvard
Education Press. 1-20.
DO-IT: Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology:
http://www.washington.edu/doit/ (accessed December 2, 2015)

Thank you!
Christopher Leydon
Student Services Coordinator
CUNY School of Professional Studies
christopher.leydon@cuny.edu
Antonia Levy
Instructional Technology & Multimedia Manager
CUNY School of Professional Studies
antonia.levy@cuny.edu