Disability Awareness Month
This year is a special year for celebrating all the accomplishments that have been made towards increasing access and opportunity for individuals with disabilities as it marks not only the 75th observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), but also the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Both milestones are being commemorated nationally around the theme "Increasing Access and Opportunity", a fitting theme as we all adjust to the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and rapid shift to online learning.
The following resources and activities are being offered in recognition of Disability Awareness month:
Viewing of Zoom In - Microaggressions and Disability Documentary
October 29 at 12:00 PM
Please join us to watch the documentary Zoom In - Microaggressions and Disability. This documentary is an intimate portrait of five disabled people living in the Pacific Northwest. They discuss microaggressions and implicit bias against people with disabilities, developing disability pride and identity, and how bias affects them every day. The film suggests how teachers, coworkers, health care workers, and families can become better allies to members of the largest minority group in the US. A discussion opportunity will follow the viewing.
zoom.us/s/97184094548?pwd=VkR6SkdldTBnNlo3ZzIvTTdDZGVQUT09
Web Accessibility & Online Education in the Wake of COVID-19 (Webinar)
As e-learning activities become the norm, it is important to remember that learning must be accessible to everyone. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued a webinar at the start of the pandemic addressing online education and website accessibility. You can view the webinar recording here.
Accessibility-Focused Learning Labs
Several Learning Lab sessions will be offered during the month of October which will focus on a variety of topics related to the accessibility of online learning. Sessions will be interactive and will provide participants with some tools for improving accessibility of online courses as well as incorporating Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles so that all students benefit.
Ensuring That All Documents, Word, PDF, etc. are ADA Compliant
October 21 at 4:00 PM
zoom.us/j/98537627794
Captioning for Online Learners
October 27 at 9:00 AM
zoom.us/j/94926490421
Please contact Kym Blanchard with questions or for assistance with registering for the Learning Lab sessions: K.Blanchard@rockvalleycollege.edu.
AHEAD Fall Webinars
The Association on Higher Education & Disability (AHEAD) has planned several webinars for the coming months on a variety of topics that pertain to ensuring accessible learning during these challenging pandemic times. A full listing of available webinars can be viewed here.
All webinars can be viewed live or as a recording at a later date. If you are interested in attending a webinar, please contact Lynn Shattuck at L.Shattuck@rockvalleycollege.edu for free registration.
Tips for Supporting Deaf & Hard of Hearing Students
The following “Terp Tips” are provided to demonstrate some of the common barriers that impede communication for individuals who are Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing and to provide strategies for improving communication access for those who require communication assistance.