No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.”
Disability Support Services (DSS), CSU, Chico
Universal Design for Learning
DSS promotes Universal Design for Learning on the Chico State campus. Universal Design for Learning is the process of making course concepts accessible and skills attainable regardless of learning style, physical or sensory abilities. It is an intentional approach to design. It anticipates a variety of needs and broadens usability to the public. It is economical for the University and respects human diversity.
EnACT: Ensuring Access through Collaboration and Technology
California State University, Chico is a participant in EnACT (Ensuring Access through Collaboration and Technology), a grant sponsored by CSU, Sonoma. The aim of EnACT is to increase college success for all students, but in particular those with documented disabilities. EnACT has several structures and themes. First is training in Universal Design for Learning concepts. UDL promotes proactive course design that builds in accessibility for all students. Second, the grant has a structure for developing peer-based support for effective course design. These critical friends groups meet at CSU, Chico where instructors across disciplines share their ideas on effective accessible instruction.
Finally, the grant funds development of accessible instructional media demonstration projects. These publications show examples of creative solutions to accessibility problems. EnACT is a faculty-driven, peer-based process. Participation is valuable for the faculty RTP process. EnACT is an important piece of CSU, Chico’s response to the Chancellors’ Assistive Technology Initiative. We are still growing our EnACT membership group. If you would like to join us, or would just like to know more you can contact Chris Prator or Sandy Parsons in the DSS office at 898-5959 or Dr. Hsuying Ward in Professional Studies in Education, 898-5689.
For more information about ENACT, visit the ENACT Web site.
For more information:
Universal Design of Instruction: Definition, Principles, and Examples - designing instruction to maximize the learning of all students.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Instruction - a checklist to maximize the learning of all students.