Supporting Students with Disabilities in Teaching & Learning

ADIS is committed to helping lecturers create an inclusive learning environment by providing guidance on accommodating students with disabilities while ensuring they fully participate in academic activities. Regardless of the nature or degree of impairment, students should be encouraged to engage in discussions, group work, and all aspects of university life. With proper planning and adaptive resources, barriers to learning can be significantly reduced.

Inclusive classrooms foster respect and accessibility for all students, but some students with disabilities may face unique challenges that require thoughtful accommodations.

How We Support Lecturers

ADIS provides information, training, and advice on accommodating students with disabilities. We are available to:

• Attend Faculty or Departmental meetings to provide disability awareness training.
• Offer guidance on effective instructional methods for students with disabilities.
• Assist with individual queries—lecturers are always welcome to visit ADIS for support.

Key Areas of Guidance

Early Identification of Textbooks & Readings

• Provide syllabi at least three weeks before the semester starts to allow time for academic materials to be converted into accessible formats.
• Whenever possible, source electronic and readable PDF formats for course materials.

Course Syllabus Accessibility Statement
Include this statement in your syllabus and discuss it in the first class:
"Students with Documented Disabilities: Students who may need reasonable accommodation based on the impact of a disability must contact ADIS ([email protected])."

Class Handouts & Lecture Materials

• Ensure handouts and board writing are accessible to visually impaired students.
• Provide guidance on effective teaching methods for students with different disabilities.

Note-Takers & Laboratory Assistants
From time to time, ADIS may request lecturers to identify suitable note-takers or lab assistants to facilitate academic accommodations for students.

Lecture Room Accessibility
We can advise on ensuring classrooms are physically and technologically accessible to all students.

Tests & Examinations

• Students who require extra time only will write in the larger exam venue with their cohort—not at ADIS.
• Students using assistive technology (e.g., screen readers for visual disabilities) will write at ADIS and must inform ADIS of their concession in advance.

Digital Accessibility Training for Lecturers

We encourage lecturers and professional staff to enroll in the Digital Accessibility course on ClickUp, which provides training on creating accessible digital materials and introduces Blackboard Ally. This course is presented by Dr. Alecia Samuels (CAAC) and is available via the UP Institution Page on ClickUp.

For further assistance or to request training, please contact [email protected].