Universal Design (UD), a theory that encompasses a proactive approach to accessibility and inclusion, has spread from its roots in architecture and product design to a host of applications including educational contexts. Over more than two decades, applications of UD in postsecondary settings have undergone exponential growth. In this theoretical…

The growing number of individuals with disabilities in higher education is a sign of significant progress toward improving outcomes and equity as intended by federal legislation. However, to successfully meet the demands of the postsecondary environment, students must act as self-regulated, independent learners. Thus, instruction for students with…

In this mixed-methods study, undergraduate students identified with a learning disability indicated their preferred instructional approaches to learning in college-level STEM courses. The relationships between preferred instructional strategies and learner characteristics: (a) declared major; (b) learning disability; and (c) gender were examined.…

The rise in numbers of postsecondary students who require adapted services underscores the need for inclusive teaching practices to help students with disabilities adjust and succeed. Despite the growth in studies on this topic, quantitative data are lacking on the prevalence of these practices in high school and college, and their predictive…

This paper describes an online undergraduate course that explores ways the arts can help students develop a clearer understanding of how perceptions about (dis)ability affect their lives, and the lives of others. The course engages a variety of questions through web-mediated and arts-based activities, including: What is disability? How does…

Faculty members' positive attitudes, active engagement, and receptiveness to inclusive instructional practices may contribute to the retention and success of students with disabilities (SWDs). However, most faculty members are not adequately prepared to effectively implement inclusive instruction, and many remain uninformed regarding the…

A multiple probe across subjects design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of instruction in a Paired Associates Strategy provided to nine college students with learning disabilities on their ability to identify and recall important information from textbooks. Students received instruction in the strategy in the context of an on-campus…

This article results from a case study with exploratory traits where the implementation of a graduate degree in Portuguese Sign Language at the Portuguese Catholic University is analysed. With this study we intend to determine whether distance learning models using blended learning strategies are adequate for deaf students at the university level.…

Despite a growing demand for a well-educated workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math-related (STEM) careers, fewer American college students are pursuing these majors. Students with disabilities are one of the at-risk groups whose interest in pursuing STEM careers is frequently compromised by systemic barriers to participation.…

Across the globe, students with disabilities have been increasing in prevalence in higher education settings. Thus, it has become more urgent for college faculty to have a broad awareness of disability and inclusive teaching practices based on the tenets of Universal Design. In this study, we examined faculty attitudes toward disability-related…

Teachers of introductory technical courses such as statistics face numerous challenges in the classroom, including student motivation and mathematical background, and difficulties in interpreting numerical results in context. Cooperative learning through small groups addresses many such challenges, but students for whom spoken English is not their…

Postsecondary institutions currently face the largest influx of veteran students since World War II. As the number of veteran students who may experience learning problems caused by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or Traumatic Brain Injury continues to rise, the need for instructional strategies that address their needs increases. Educators may…

Colleges are seeking ways to better serve the growing population of students with learning disabilities (LD) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In making decisions about how to best facilitate students' success, it is important to listen to their voices as they describe their experiences and offer unique insights. The…

Authored by the teaching staff of T-560: Meeting the Challenge of Individual Differences at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, this article reflects on potential applications of universal design for learning (UDL) in university courses, illustrating major points with examples from T-560. The article explains the roots of UDL in cognitive…

Thirty-three undergraduate and graduate students with learning disabilities (LD), aged 16-56, from five colleges and universities who participated in focus groups identified five beneficial services, skills, and accommodations beneficial to LD students: coursework accommodations; testing accommodations; LD staff; peer support groups; tutors. Other…