This section shares suggestions for conducting a CBI on your campus.
The overall goal of DO-IT's AccessCollege project is to ensure that students with disabilities receive a quality postsecondary education with the same opportunities for college and career success as those for students without disabilities. AccessCollege team members, representing a diverse set of twenty-two postsecondary schools, host CBIs on their campuses to identify, implement, and institutionalize policies, practices, and procedures that lead to more accessible courses and services.
AccessCollege and other DO-IT projects have hosted CBIs to solve problems related to accessibility and the application of universal design for many years. Topics of CBIs have included making:
A characteristic of the CBI style is to honor participants as the experts. For example, in panel presentations the panelists are typically CBI participants. This way, they share their knowledge as experts on a topic and continue to participate in follow-up activities as other participant experts share perspectives in other presentations. Typically, CBIs last from four hours to three days.
This guide outlines common ways to organize CBIs and shares sample agendas and visual aides that can help you shape a CBI on your campus. It also shares lessons learned from the AccessCollege team. It can be found online at www.washington.edu/doit/building-capacity-welcoming-and-accessible-postsecondary-institution. This publication and its associated videos and handouts complement the following comprehensive resources for making instruction and student services, respectively, accessible to all students.
It is expected that every campus will have a unique approach, but here are some steps to consider in planning a CBI:
In the publications noted earlier in these materials, DO-IT has provided tips for presentation delivery.
Through AccessCollege and other projects, DO-IT has created a comprehensive collection of publications and videos that can be used in your CBI. They can be found online by selecting "publications and videos" from the DO-IT website at www.washington.edu/doit. Any CBI might include the handouts listed below:
Listed below are additional publications, videos, web resources, and overhead visuals for specific CBI topics.
Consider using the following additional products for a CBI on this topic.
Video
Handout
Websites
Consider using the following additional products for a CBI on this topic.
Videos
Handouts
Websites
Overhead Visuals
Consider using the following additional products for a CBI on this topic.
Videos
Handouts
Website
Overhead Visuals
Consider using the following additional products for a CBI on this topic.
Videos
Handouts
Websites
Overhead Visuals
Consider using the following additional products for a CBI on this topic.
Videos
Handouts
Websites
Overhead Visuals
Consider using the following additional products for a CBI on this topic.
Videos
Handouts
Websites
Overhead Visuals
Consider using the following additional products for a CBI on this topic.
Videos
Handouts
Website
Overhead Visuals
In addition to the schedule and location, emphasize the relevance of the topic, the need for representation from diverse groups, the interactive nature of the program, and expected outcomes. On the following page is a CBI sample letter of invitation.
Dear [Name],
You are invited to participate in a Capacity-Building Institute (CBI), to be held at [institution] on [date] from [start time] to [end time]. Please register for this meeting at [URL].
The CBI has been organized as a result of recent conversations at the [institution], where faculty, staff, and administrators have discussed ways in which universal design (UD) can create welcoming and inclusive learning environments for all students. Given the rapid pace at which the application of universal design is evolving in higher education, the [university/college] has become increasingly aware of the professional development needs of faculty and staff to apply UD principles within and outside of the classroom.
The goals of the CBI are to engage faculty, staff, and administrators in a discussion that will ultimately lead to improved accessibility of courses and services that takes into consideration the diverse learning styles, abilities, and disabilities of today's students.
The CBI will have three guest speakers presenting on specific topic areas related to UD. The Institute will also include a brainstorming session in which issues, perspectives, and challenges related to UD will be actively explored. All participants will leave with a strategic plan for incorporating universal design into their specific disciplines.
The CBI will include information on relevant legislation, principles of universal design, specific ways to create inclusive classrooms and services, information on local resources, and the development of a personal or departmental action plan to apply practical universal design strategies to transform curricula or services.
Thank you for your interest in creating inclusive communities for all students at [Institution].
Sincerely,
[Institutional Representative]
Following is an agenda and timeline for a four-hour CBI on universal design of instruction. Videos referred to in the sample agenda are available in the Resources section. Most videos and publications are also available online at https://www.washington.edu/doit/resources/informational-briefs. At the end of the agenda are suggestions for extending its length to a full day and/or changing the focus to universal design of student services or systemic change of an entire campus.
8:00 - 8:25 a.m.
Check In & Refreshments
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Welcome/Introductions
Distribute CBI agenda and the following handouts (https://www.washington.edu/doit/resources/informational-briefs)
9:00 - 9:10 a.m.
Typical Accommodations
Emphasize that a disability services office typically provides accommodations and describe your institution's process. Introduce the video, which focuses on accommodations for students with disabilities.
9:10 - 9:30 a.m.
Video View
Building the Team: Faculty, Staff, and Students Working Together (found at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=3) After the video, answer questions. Describe how universal design (UD) complements the accommodation model by encouraging faculty to be proactive and to plan ahead in making their courses accessible to students with disabilities. Refer to the UD handouts and use some of the overhead visuals provided in the Resources section.
Tell participants that the next video, also developed through a nationwide collaboration, gives information on the process and specific examples of universal design applied to instruction.
10:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Video View
Equal Access: Universal Design of Instruction (found at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=13) Respond to questions. End by emphasizing the need for both UD and accommodations to maximize the success of all students and to reduce the impact of having students with disabilities in your classes (by planning ahead).
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Break
Emphasize that UD increases access and reduces, but does not eliminate, the need for accommodations. Tell participants to, after the break, meet in small, preassigned groups (perhaps defined by the table where they are sitting) to make a list of specific things instructors can do to make their courses more accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. Each group needs to select a discussion leader, recorder, and reporter that participants can choose. Distribute poster paper and felt pens to each group.
10:30 - 11:00 a.m
Discussion in Small Groups
What can instructors do to make their courses more accessible to all students, including those with disabilities?
11:00 - 11:20 a.m.
Small Groups Report to Large Group
Post lists so that everyone can see them.
11:20 - 11:35 a.m.
Break
Tell participants to, after the break, reconvene in their small groups. Together they will make a list of specific things the institution can do to help faculty make their courses more accessible to all students, including those with disabilities.
11:35 - 12:05 p.m.
Discussion in Small Groups
What can institutions do to help faculty make their courses more accessible to all students, including those with disabilities?
12:05 - 12:20 p.m.
Small Groups Report to Large Group.
Post lists so that everyone can see them.
12:20 - 12:30 p.m.
Conclusion and Evaluation
Refer participants to The Faculty Room and campus resources.
Distribute the form Post-Evaluation of Professional Development (found on pp. 31-32). Ask the participants to fill out the form and return to the facilitator.
Thank participants for coming and tell them the lists of suggestions will be combined into proceedings and mailed (email or postal) to a designated location.
This CBI outline can be extended to a full day or longer by adding one or more of the following activities:
This CBI can be modified to address systemic change for the entire institution (DO-IT, 2007) or for specific areas such as the student service organizations (e.g., career centers, admissions offices) or information technology by using appropriate videos, handouts, websites, and overhead visuals.
Following is an agenda of a full-day Capacity-Building Institute (CBI) that is similar to one conducted at Florida State University (FSU). Its purpose was to improve the accessibility of campus websites.
8:00 - 8:30 a.m.
Check In & Refreshments
8:30 - 8:45 a.m.
Welcome Message
President
Vice President for Student Affairs
Distribute the evaluation form Pre- and Post-Test for Professional Development (found on pp. 29-30) to participants and ask them to fill out the Pre-Test (front side of the form).
Distribute CBI Agenda and the following handouts (found at www.washington.edu/doit/resources)
8:45 - 9:30 a.m.
Overview of Universal Design of Online Instruction
Participants explore the big picture of accessible online teaching and learning:
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Online Accessibility Nuts and Bolts
In an interactive session, participants are led through a mock Blackboard™ course, which features a variety of accessibility problems and solutions. How do you assure that all students have access to Blackboard, your website, Adobe® PDF files, Microsoft® Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and other resources?
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Break
10:45 - 12:00 p.m.
Web Accessibility @ FSU
Discussion moderated by staff from FSU, College of Information and Assessment Services
FSU faculty, staff, and administrators brainstorm the current state of accessibility of instructional technology at FSU and identify next steps for moving forward. Suggestions are recorded on a flip chart.
12:00 - 1:10 p.m.
Lunch and Student Panel
Real students with real issues share what it is like to be a person with a disability attending a major university and using online content. Participants ask questions.
Afternoon: Steps Toward Web Accessibility
1:10 - 3:15 p.m. (with one break)
Web Accessibility Techniques
Participants further explore common web accessibility problems and solutions. They learn the state of accessibility on a variety of technologies and file formats used in delivering web content, including PDF, Flash®, multimedia, PowerPoint, Blackboard, Java™, and AJAX. Resources are provided with more detailed information including the DO-IT Knowledge Base, which is linked from the DO-IT website at www.washington.edu/doit at "Search DO-IT Knowledge Base."
3:15 - 3:30 p.m.
Break
3:30 - 4:15 p.m.
Discuss the Accessibility of FSU Websites
After a brief introduction to available FSU web accessibility evaluation tools and resources, participants discuss the accessibility of specific FSU websites in one or multiple groups. Those with promising designs demonstrate their approaches to accessibility, and participants brainstorm possible solutions to accessibility problems.
4:15 - 4:30 p.m.
Conclusion and Evaluation
Summarize content and results of CBI. Participants complete the Post-Test for Professional Development, which was distributed at the beginning of the CBI, and return to a designated location.
Following is the agenda of a full-day CBI that is similar to one conducted by the University of Washington. Its purpose was to help teachers fully include students with disabilities in their science courses by applying universal design and providing accommodations.
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Registration, Continental Breakfast
9:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Introductions Distribute the evaluation form Pre- and Post-Test for Professional Development (found on pp. 29-30) to participants and ask them to fill out the Pre-Test (front side of the form).
Distribute CBI agenda and handouts (located at https://www.washington.edu/doit/resources)
View Video
Working Together: Science Teachers and Students with Disabilities (on DVD or at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=34).
Presentation
Access Barriers, Access Solutions—Accommodations and Universal Design.
View Video
The Winning Equation: Access + Attitude = Success in Math and Science (on DVD or at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=28).
Activity
Complete a Student Abilities Profile (at https://www.washington.edu/doit/accommodation-model#sap)
10:45 - 12:00 p.m.
Activity
Discover accommodation and universal design strategies for a hands-on science activity.
View Video
Equal Access: Universal Design of Instruction (on DVD or at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=13).
Presentation
Making Science Labs Accessible to All Students.
12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
Lunch
12:45 - 2:15 p.m.
Discuss
What can individual stakeholders (e.g., a student, teacher, parent) do to increase the success of students with disabilities in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)? Consider both accommodations and universal design approaches.
Activity
Create a personal plan for implementation of universal design of your instruction. Distribute a copy of the publication Equal Access: Universal Design of Instruction (located at https://www.washington.edu/doit/equal-access-universal-design-instruction), cross out items that do not apply; insert implementation dates for others.
Report
What steps will you take to make your courses more accessible?
2:15 - 3:30 p.m.
View Video
Computer Access: In Our Own Words (on DVD or at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=6) Note that additional technology videos in handouts focus on specific disabilities related to learning, mobility, and vision.
Presentation
Overview of Technology Access Barriers and Solutions—Assistive Technology and Universal Design.
Discuss
What can institutional stakeholders (e.g., schools, districts, state agencies) do to increase the success of students with disabilities in STEM? What systemic change efforts would you recommend? Consider both policies and practices.
3:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Conclusion and Evaluation
What did you learn and how will you apply it?
Ask participants to fill out the Post-Test for Professional Development, which was distributed at the beginning of the CBI, and return to a designated location.
Below is an agenda for a multi-day CBI that is similar to one conducted by the University of Washington. Participants in a wide variety of positions developed solutions for the under-representation of people with disabilities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Most participants were administrators or support staff for projects that serve to increase the successful participation of women, minorities, and people with disabilities in STEM.
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Evening Social
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Buffet Breakfast & Networking
9:00 - 9:50 a.m.
Welcome
Dr. Sheryl Burgstahler, DO-IT Director, University of Washington
Distribute the evaluation form Pre- and Post-Test for Professional Development to participants and ask them to fill out the Pre-Test (front side of the form).
Distribute CBI Agenda and the following handouts (available at www.washington.edu/doit/resources)
Introductions
Students with disabilities share STEM access perspectives in video
Working Together: Science Teachers and Students with Disabilities (on DVD or at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=34)
9:50 - 10:30 a.m.
Pursuit of a STEM Career: A Personal Story
Dr. Imke Durre, Scientist, National Climatic Data Center
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Break
10:45 - 11:15 a.m.
Broadening Participation in STEM
Dr. Mark Leddy, National Science Foundation
11:15 - 11:55 a.m.
Access Barriers, Solutions—Accommodations and Universal Design
Teachers and students share ideas for assuring access to STEM courses for students with disabilities in video
The Winning Equation: Access + Attitude = Success in Math and Science (Video and handouts available at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=28)
11:55 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Introduction to Small Group Discussion Format
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch and Working Group Discussions
Question: How are STEM access issues for people with disabilities the same as those for other underrepresented groups (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, women)? How are they different?
1:30 - 1:50 p.m.
Working Group Reports
Each group shares one way STEM access issues for people with disabilities are (1) the same as and (2) different from those for other underrepresented groups (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, women).
1:50 - 2:45 p.m.
Activity: Discover Accommodation and Universal Design Strategies for a Hands-On Science Activity
Valerie Sundby, Lyla Crawford, Project Coordinators, AccessSTEM
Educators share universal instructional design strategies in video
Equal Access: Universal Design of Instruction (Video and handouts available at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=13)
2:45 - 3:00 p.m.
Break
3:00 - 3:50 p.m.
Critical Junctures Panel
Projects to increase participation of people with disabilities in STEM share experiences and insights.
3:50 - 4:30 p.m.
Working Group Discussions
Question: In what ways do making STEM activities accessible to students with disabilities benefit other students?
4:30 - 4:50 p.m.
Working Group Reports
Each group shares one way making STEM activities accessible to students with disabilities benefits other students.
4:50 - 5:00 p.m.
Preview of Tonight's Activity and Tomorrow's Agenda, Daily Feedback
5:00 p.m.
Adjourn
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Dinner, Networking, and Discussion of Future Collaborations
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Buffet Breakfast, Networking
9:00 - 10:25 a.m
Panel
Projects that increase the participation of underrepresented minorities and women in STEM share lessons learned in broadening participation in STEM. How can those lessons be applied to increase the participation of people with disabilities in STEM?
10:25 - 10:40 a.m.
Break
10:40 - 12:00 p.m.
Students with disabilities share transition strategies in video
Taking Charge II: Two Stories of Success and Self-Determination (Video and handout available at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=25)
Panel
People with disabilities who are also racial/ethnic minorities or women share their stories. With what communities do they identify? What promotes and what inhibits the pursuit of STEM courses and careers?
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch and Working Group Discussions
Question: What can STEM projects do to increase the participation of students with disabilities?
1:30 - 1:50 p.m.
Working Group Reports
Each group shares two things STEM projects can do to increase the participation of people who have disabilities.
1:50 - 2:30 p.m.
Information Technology Access Barriers and Solutions: Assistive Technology and Universal Design Students demonstrate assistive technology in video
Computer Access: In Our Own Words (Video and handout available at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=6)
Accessible Web Design
Terry Thompson, Technology Specialist, AccessSTEM
How to make web pages accessible to people with disabilities is demonstrated in the video
World Wide Access: Accessible Web Design (video and handouts available at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=35)
2:30 - 3:05 p.m.
Science Lab Access Barriers and Solutions: Accommodations and Universal Design
Dr. Samantha Langley-Turnbaugh, Associate Professor and Chair Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Southern Maine.
Distribute brochure
Making Science Labs Accessible to Students with Disabilities (located at https://www.washington.edu/doit/making-science-labs-accessible-students-disabilities)
3:05 - 3:15 p.m.
STEM students with sensory impairments and educators share experiences in video
Equal Access: Science and Students with Sensory Impairments (video and handout available at https://www.washington.edu/doit/videos/index.php?vid=10)
3:15 - 4:00 p.m.
Break
4:00 - 4:55 p.m.
Discussion
Question: How can projects best measure the outcomes and impacts of their interventions to increase the participation of underrepresented minorities, women, and people with disabilities in STEM?
4:55 - 5:00 p.m.
Preview of Tomorrow's Agenda, Daily Feedback
Dinner on Your Own
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Buffet Breakfast, Networking, Discussion
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Making Your Project Accessible to Participants with Disabilities: A Checklist Distribute a copy of the brochure
Equal Access: Universal Design of Your Project (located at: https://www.washington.edu/doit/equal-access-universal-design-your-project)
Begin a personal plan for implementation: In your copy of the brochure, cross out items that do not apply and write an implementation date for others.
Discussion
Question: How can the checklist be adapted for use in NSF STEM projects?
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Break
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Conclusion
What can we do as a group to promote access to STEM for people with disabilities?
Visit the AccessSTEM website, including a Knowledge Base of Q&As, case studies, and promising practices, at https://www.washington.edu/doit/programs/accessstem/overview
11:45 a.m.
Evaluation
Box lunch and further discussion.
Participants asked to fill out the Post-Test for Professional Development (back side of form found on pp. 29-30), which was distributed at the beginning of the CBI, and return to a designated location.
Have a safe trip home!
The AccessCollege team has developed two evaluation instruments that you might consider using for your CBI.
Please complete this survey to evaluate the professional development training you are participating in. Return the survey to the envelope provided by the facilitator. Your responses will be used for research purposes to help us determine the value of this professional development and create training materials. The survey will take about five minutes. Participation is voluntary and anonymous and you may choose not to answer every question. Thank you for your feedback.
Current position:
[ ] Faculty [ ] Administrator [ ] Support Staff
[ ] K-12 teacher [ ] Employer [ ] Other: ______________
Gender: [ ] Female [ ] Male
Number of years, if any, of teaching experience: ___________________________________
Have you ever had a student with a disability in your class, program, or service?
Yes No Unsure
Do you have any colleagues, friends, or family members with disabilities?
Yes No Unsure
Do you have a disability?
Yes No Unsure
Check the box to indicate your level of confidence that in your class, program, or service area you are now able to:
Very Confident Not at all Confident
Apply universal design principles and strategies.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Use technology in a way that supports students with disabilities.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Refer students with disabilities to appropriate campus resources.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Meet legal obligations to students with disabilities.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Make your course/service/program accessible to students with disabilities.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Will you implement elements of what you learned? [ ] Yes [ ] No
If yes, what will you implement?
Please describe the strengths and/or weaknesses of this professional development.
Suggest additional programs and materials that would be helpful for faculty and/or staff related to working with students with disabilities.
Please complete this survey to assess your knowledge pre- and post- the professional development training you are participating in. Please complete this side of the survey, the Pre-Test, before this program starts. Complete the other side of this page, the Post-Test, at the end of the program. Return the survey to the envelope provided by the facilitator. Your responses will be used for research purposes to help us determine the value of this professional development and create training materials. Each part of the survey will take about five minutes. Participation is voluntary and anonymous and you may choose not to answer every question. Thank you for your feedback.
Current position:
[ ] Faculty [ ] Administrator [ ] Support Staff
[ ] K-12 teacher [ ] Employer [ ] Other: ______________
Gender: [ ] Female [ ] Male
Number of years, if any, of teaching experience: ___________________________________
Have you ever had a student with a disability in your class, program, or service?
Yes No Unsure
Do you have any colleagues, friends, or family members with disabilities?
Yes No Unsure
Do you have a disability?
Yes No Unsure
Check the box to indicate your level of confidence that in your class, program, or service area you are (before training) able to:
Very Confident Not at all Confident
Apply universal design principles and strategies.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Use technology in a way that supports students with disabilities.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Refer students with disabilities to appropriate campus resources.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Meet legal obligations to students with disabilities.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Make your course/service/program accessible to students with disabilities.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
What do you hope to learn in this program?
Check the box to indicate your level of confidence that in your class, program, or service area you are now able to:
Very Confident Not at all Confident
Apply universal design principles and strategies.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Use technology in a way that supports students with disabilities.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Refer students with disabilities to appropriate campus resources.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Meet legal obligations to students with disabilities.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Make your course/service/program accessible to students with disabilities.
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Will you implement elements of what you learned? [ ] Yes [ ] No
If yes, what will you implement?
Please describe the strengths and/or weaknesses of this professional development.
Suggest additional programs and materials that would be helpful for faculty and/or staff related to working with students with disabilities.
Develop proceedings to share with CBI participants, other members of stakeholder groups, and campus decision-makers. Examples of proceedings can be found at https://www.washington.edu/doit/resources/event-proceedings.
Submit articles based on the proceedings to a professional journal. An example can be viewed in a special issue of the Journal of Special Education, Volume 18, Number 4, 2003, at jst.sagepub.com/content/18/4.toc.
Write a press release for campus and local newspapers. This effort can disseminate findings to stakeholders and build enthusiasm for future CBIs.
Associate your CBI with a committee that meets on an ongoing basis. For example, at the University of Washington, the Advisory Committee on Disability Issues sponsored a CBI and then used the proceedings to help set its agenda for future efforts and to support its recommendations.
If you are developing a new group, consider using a Community of Practice (CoP) structure. A CoP is a group of people who share a common concern and interact regularly to improve their practice. CoPs identify problems, goals, and resources; assess measurable change; and monitor and adjust plans and activities.
DO-IT has a large collection of curriculum materials, short handouts, and videos that can useful to you in developing your CBI. The following sets of comprehensive training materials are of particular relevance to faculty and student service personnel on a postsecondary campus.
In addition, the following websites provide comprehensive resources for presenters and participants.