Disability Awareness/Identity

Inaccessibility in a Calculus Course: A Case Study on Educating Faculty and Staff about Learning Disabilities

Background

My name is Brandon. I am a first-year undergraduate engineering student enrolled in a required calculus course. Because of my learning disability, I have accommodations including extra-time and using a four-function calculator on exams. I also use text-to-speech software that allows my computer to read aloud text presented on the screen.

Hosting a Panel of Students with Disabilities: A Promising Practice in Raising Awareness of Disability Issues

Hosting a panel of students with disabilities is a great way to help faculty, staff, or other stakeholders learn more about the issues that students with disabilities face in education.  These panels can be held as part of a larger workshop on disability, as a standalone meeting, or as a part of a regularly-held departmental meeting.

What is Asperger's Disorder?

​According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Asperger's Disorder, also referred to as Asperger Syndrome, was a term previously used to describe one of the pervasive developmental disorders. The diagnosis of Asperger’s Disorder was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) in 2013. Those previously diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder are now included in the broader category of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), also referred to as Autism, is a developmental disability characterized by impairments in social interactions and communication, as well as a pattern of repetitive or obsessive behaviors and interests. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. There is no known cure for ASD, but interventions have been identified that can reduce behavioral symptoms and improve academic, employment, and social outcomes. The cause of ASD is not known; however, evidence suggests that both genetic factors and environmental triggers may play roles.

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