Accessibility and UDL Course Reminders and Resources

Happy first week of the winter quarter! As you continue to finalize your courses, consider the following DU resources to help make your courses more accessible and inclusive.

AccessibleDU: Student Disability Services (SDS)

As students send their Letters of Approved Accommodations (LOAA) for this upcoming term, please consider making an appointment with AccessibleDU: Student Disability Services (SDS). SDS is happy to answer any questions you may have about implementing accommodations or navigating the Faculty Accommodate Portal. You can book an appointment by emailing [email protected]. More information about the student accommodation process can be found on the Student Disability Services webpage.

OTL Instructional Accessibility and UDL Support

The Office of Teaching and Learning provides support in Instructional Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Interested in learning more about accessible course content and ways to enhance student representation, expression, and engagement? Schedule an appointment with Ellen Hogan, OTL Faculty Developer of Instructional Accessibility today!

UDOIT Accessibility Tool in Canvas

Designed to enhance the inclusivity of your Canvas Course experience, UDOIT Accessibility offers comprehensive feedback on the digital accessibility of your course content and materials. This tool is already integrated into your Canvas courses! Schedule an appointment with Jeff Schwartz, OTL Instructional Designer or Ellen Hogan, OTL Faculty Developer of Instructional Accessibility to learn more.

Scanned PDFs

Do you use photocopied scanned PDFs in your course? A common practice to procure additional readings for students is to scan a paper copy of text. Often times, these files are not fully accessible to all students, including students who use assistive technologies, students who need to be able to search for key words, and students who like to use digital tools to highlight content. Consider being proactive and reaching out for support via the OTL Accessibility Request form. Don’t know if your scans are accessible? Check out the OTL Knowledge Base article on Top 8 Characteristics of an Accessible PDF to learn more!

4D Design Series for Faculty

We are excited to share that the 4D Team has partnered with OTL and the VPFA Office to launch a new series of offerings for faculty in the 2024 Winter and Spring Terms that provide opportunities to design for greater flourishing for self as well as for students. In each of the two-part series (“Designing for Purpose,” “Designing for Well-being," and “Designing for Belonging”), participants will gain actionable strategies and tools for setting the stage for flourishing to emerge in their personal and professional lives.

Learn more about the 4D series. Please register for one or more of the design series via the registration Qualtrics form.

Faculty Advisor and Mentor Winter Training with the Office of Student Success

Friday, February 16, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Anderson Academic Commons 342

Advising and mentoring: we all do it . . . but where does it “count” in our workload? How can we talk about these important roles and the impact they have on student success in a way that is honored in the annual review? Just in time for that process, this workshop will give you the opportunity to consider how you communicate the value of your advising and mentoring and the impact your work has on the university.

Registration information coming soon! For questions, please contact Dr. Michele Tyson, Director of Faculty Advising, at [email protected].

Call for Faculty Volunteers: Assessment and Accreditation Committee

The Office of Teaching and Learning invites dedicated faculty members to join the newly formed Assessment and Accreditation Committee. This committee will play a vital role in advancing the University's strategic initiative of helping students and faculty thrive through reflection on the teaching and learning process, ultimately contributing to our mission of being a great private university dedicated to the public good.

Committee Purpose

The Assessment and Accreditation Committee serves two primary purposes: fostering continuous improvement through ongoing assessment practices and reflection; and maintaining the university’s ongoing positive accreditation standing with the Higher Learning Commission. Members will collaborate on critical tasks such as preparing for the accreditation review, optimizing assessment reporting methods, and fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue about assessment matters.

Requirements and Benefits

Committee membership requires monthly meetings during the academic year and approximately one hour of additional weekly work to prepare, collaborate, and contribute directly to the committee's goals. In return, you will gain valuable insights into assessment and accreditation practices, develop leadership skills, and forge meaningful collaborations with colleagues across disciplines. Serving on this committee signifies your commitment to the University's dedication to continuous improvement and excellence. To thrive in this role, you should possess a strong dedication to student and faculty growth, excellent communication and collaboration skills, and the ability to work effectively in a team. Relevant experience with assessment practices in your discipline is advantageous, although not a requirement.

To Apply

To express your interest in serving on the Assessment and Accreditation Committee, please send an email that includes a brief description of your reasons for wanting to serve on the committee to Dr. Stephen Riley, Director of Academic Assessment, at [email protected].

Applications are accepted until February 16, 2024.