This session will provide alternative approaches to traditional teaching methods addressing the needs of people with various disabilities. Participants will learn how to “modify on the fly” and understand how crucial that concept is in all educational settings. The presenter will illuminate proven strategies to accommodate multifaceted audience.

Abstract:

We live in a world where we encounter people with disabilities on a daily basis but are not always made aware that an individual is disabled. When we are aware that someone has a disability, we can appropriately prepare for the interaction with that individual and provide the necessary accommodations to aid them in their participation in our programs. Many times, however, we find ourselves caught off guard and are forced to rely on our preconceived expectations of how to effectively communicate and teach to individuals that have disabilities which can leave everyone involved feeling uncomfortable.

This session will provide alternative approaches to traditional teaching methods that will address the needs of people with various disabilities. The presenter will share firsthand experiences, which will serve to demonstrate proven strategies to address, interact, accommodate, and be sensitive to a multifaceted audience. Participants will learn how to “modify on the fly” and understand how crucial that concept is in all educational settings including formal, informal, public, and private. Sharing experiences affords us the opportunity to learn what could have been done differently while allowing us to gain a better understanding of alternative strategies that were developed, implemented, and found to be effective.

Please join us as we review the importance of Universal Instructional Design (UID) and share strategies that will help you make necessary adjustments to your outreach approach so that you can develop inclusive programming that has the ability to reach the largest number of individuals at your event or in your school.