These resources have been created in support of a curriculum for a faculty learning community on accessibility in learning and teaching, facilitated by the University of Virginia. Each chapter serves as preparatory reading for the discussions of each learning community meeting. A description of the program and meeting schedule follows.

Faculty Learning Community: Creating Inclusive and Accessible Learning

The decisions that we make about the design of our courses and curricula will affect students’ ability to access, participate in, and contribute to meaningful learning experiences. What impact might our course design have on students living with disabilities? We will explore how an educational approach to accessibility based on inclusive design not only benefits students living with disabilities but has a broader impact and benefit to all students.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Through participation in this community, you will engage with colleagues to:

• Explore disability, accessibility, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
• Differentiate accessibility and accommodations and their impact on student learning.
• Identify specific design decisions that improve accessibility and apply them to your own instructional context.
• Evaluate the accessibility of learning materials, activities, tools, and spaces.
• Integrate the perspectives and experiences of people living with disabilities in your design of accessible learning materials, tools, and spaces.
• Identify resources to support you in your ongoing commitment to inclusive teaching.

The learning community meets six times during the semester over lunch and includes a tour of the UVA Student Disability Access Center and conversations with students living with disabilities.