Ramping Up Accessibility in Implementing Assessment and Learning Activities

Here are additional ways to increase accessibility in your teaching.  When you’re ready to go beyond Accessible Teaching Basics, consider implementing one or two Ramping Up practices that suit your context. Aim for progress, not perfection. 

• Include one or two different ways for students to communicate with you/your teaching team. E.g., in-person/virtual office hours, after-class, Teams, email, and discussion forums. Having options removes barriers by enabling students to select the mode of communication that works well for them.  
  • To learn more: Refer to Holding Office Hours (CTE Teaching Tip) and Holding Virtual Office Hours (CTE Teaching Tip). 
• Tell students where and how to receive help on their assessments. If they are working on assessments outside of the learning environment (e.g., at AccessAbility Services to support accommodations, at home completing a take-home test), let them know how any changes or clarifications will be communicated and how to reach the instructional team. This reduces unnecessary stress, so that students can focus on demonstrating learning. 
• Align your feedback with your intended learning outcomes (ILOs) so that students focus on what’s important and do not get distracted or overwhelmed by excessive comments that are unrelated to the ILOs. For example, avoid judging students’ work on extraneous factors such as handwriting or use of pen versus pencil, and provide general feedback about errors in spelling and grammar rather than identifying and correcting each one.
  • To learn more: Refer to Receiving and Giving Effective Feedback (CTE Teaching Tip) and Enabling Uptake of Instructor Feedback Through Feedback Literacy (CTE Teaching Tip). 

To Go Further

• Anticipate that some students with disabilities might not be able to participate in a group assessment and learning activities as they were designed. Being open to options can help all students achieve the ILOs.
  • To learn more: Refer to Group Work: Assignment of Roles (CTE Teaching Tip) and Methods for Assessing Group Work (CTE Teaching Tip). 
• If grading participation, remember that there are a variety of ways that students can demonstrate their engagement in the course. Providing inclusive options for participation removes barriers to participation.
  • To learn more: Refer to Inclusive Engagement Opportunities (CTE Teaching Tip).