Campus Presentation on Universal Design and Teaching Scheduled
Contact: Sandra Horne, 581-1236
The University of Maine’s Center for Teaching Excellence is offering a presentation on Nov. 28 that will review the principles of universal design in higher education and making subject matter accessible for everyone.
This event, from 9-11 a.m. in the Totman Lounge of the Memorial Union, is free and open to all UMaine faculty, instructors and teaching assistants. The program is titled “Starting with the Syllabus: Universal Design Applied to Instructional Practices in Higher Education.”
Facilitators include: session leader Tina Passman, associate professor of classical languages and literature; Sheridan Kelley, adjunct assistant professor of art; Valerie Smith, assistant research professor, Center for Community Inclusion & Disability Studies; and Lu Zeph, associate professor of education and director of the UMaine’s Center for Community Inclusion & Disability Studies.
Universal Design is the concept that by anticipating and planning for the diverse needs of potential users during the design process, the resulting product or putcome will better suit the needs of all users. It goes beyond accessible design for people with disabilities to make all aspects of the educational experience more accessible to all students and instructors.
After a brief review of the principles of universal design, participants will use the example of the accessible syllabus template used by College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Undergraduate Program Curriculum Committee to illustrate how universal design principles provide inclusive and complete information for all students — those with disabilities and those without. A roundtable discussion will follow the presentation.
The presentation is appropriate for all disciplines and addresses live classroom and online courses. It should be of particular interest to those reviewing their syllabi and curriculum design in anticipation of the coming NEASC Reaccreditation visit.
Registration is required. Please call 581-3472, or e-mail registration information by Monday, Nov. 26, to CTE@umit.maine.edu.
The program is supported by the Adelaide C. and Alan L. Bird Fund for Instructional and Faculty Development.