Inclusion and Accessibility at SPS
Columbia University supports and promotes diversity and inclusion, both inside and outside of the classroom. One of the most important ways that SPS faculty and staff can support these principles inside the classroom is by learning how to select and/or develop course content (textbooks, slides, documents, PDFs, video, audio) that meets digital accessibility requirements. Digital accessibility focuses on learners who have particular needs related to sensory, physical, and/or cognitive impairments. This often involves coupling content presentations with accommodations to make them accessible to all users—for example, providing text versions of image-based content, which allows a screen reader to interpret that content for students with visual impairments.
Here are some “quick wins” that will enable you to adopt an “accessibility mindset” and make your course more equitable and inclusive for all learners: not just students with disabilities, but also nontraditional students and English language learners.
Working with Individuals with Disabilities
When referencing, speaking, and working with people with disabilities, there are formalities that need to be taken into account to uphold the dignity of the person as an individual. Please read Disability Etiquette (Links to an external site.) (United Spinal Association, 2015, Kew Gardens, NY) to learn more about this topic.
“Excellence in teaching and learning necessitates the inclusion of every student’s unique identities, experiences, and talents."