Virtual Conference CFP: What Works in Implementing Universal Design for Learning in Postsecondary Education?

What Works in Implementing Universal Design for Learning in Postsecondary Education?
February 22-26, 2010
Funded by the U. S. Office of Postsecondary Education
Hosted by National-Louis University

Universal Design in Postsecondary Education: According to the US Department of Education, 11.3% of undergraduate students in higher education report some type of disability. Most of these students attend two- and four-year institutions and are in credit-earning classes with non-disabled peers. Unless students with disabilities self-identify, faculty tend to remain unaware of their presence in the classroom. When students self-identify, they often do so by presenting an official letter of accommodation from the institution’s student services department, however this can come after a course has been designed and the syllabus published. Most last-minute adjustments like this can be avoided if instructors plan ahead by anticipating a classroom of students with diverse abilities and building options into the course from the very beginning. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) offers a philosophy and model for doing just that. UDL is most often discussed in relation to compulsory education (i.e., PreK-12). Too little has been disseminated about the practice of UDL in the postsecondary environment. This virtual conference will feature presentations and interactive sessions in which participants explore what works when it comes to UDL in inclusive postsecondary education.

Why a Virtual Conference? A virtual conference is more flexible for participants since it involves synchronous and asynchronous activities and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. A virtual conference allows participants to experience learning in an accessible environment. It is less expensive to produce and attend since it is held online. A virtual conference provides the opportunity to experiment with and share resources related to universal design through the use of technology.

Possible presentation topics:

• Specific applications of UDL in syllabus/course design/content areas
• Successful strategies for implementing UDL in credit-earning courses
• UDL assessment in the postsecondary context
• UDL challenges and/or solutions in postsecondary settings
• Empirical studies of what works in UDL use
• Policy implications or challenges of UDL
• Professional development models for preparing faculty to use
• UDL
• Assistive Technology
• Alternative Frameworks for Accessibility
• Working with 3rd party vendors and content providers
• Designing accessible websites and content
• Creating Professional Development for faculty and staff interested in accessible design

Accessibility: Our goal is an accessible conference. Therefore, visuals must have text descriptions. Videos must have closed captions or full text availability. Audio components should include scripts. Actions or unspoken visuals in videos must have descriptions (audio or text). Files should be cross-platform compatible.

Proposals to present should include the following information:

• Presenter(s) name(s)
• Institutional affiliation(s)
• Full contact information of lead presenter (address, phone, email, fax)
• Title of presentation or activity
• Format or type of activity or presentation (see below)
• Abstract of presentation or activity
• Accessibility features of your presentation or activity
• Your preference for media/delivery tool (ie: web conference, live text chat, etc.)

Presentation format…please adhere to one of the following:

• Threaded discussion. You could propose to host a threaded discussion on a particular topic related to UDL. The discussion would take place throughout the week of the conference.
• "Poster” session. You could prepare a presentation to be posted on the conference website. Participants will be able to post questions or comments to which you can respond. We are open to other ideas for poster formats and delivery methods, so long as the format is 508 compliant.
• Chat room. You could propose to host a real time chat room on a particular topic related to UDL. After the conference, the chat text will be available on the conference website for other participants to read.
• Pre-recorded video. You could propose a video presentation for the conference website. You would be responsible for filming and providing closed captioning or a printed full text.

Deadline: Proposals should be submitted digitally to Dr. Susan L. Gabel (3cproject@nl.edu) no later than December 15, 2009. Decisions will be made by January 5, 2010. Every effort will be made to include as many presenters as possible. Presenters must be prepared to submit conference materials by February 5, 2010.