Associations Between Accessibility Knowledge, Practices, and Support in Online Higher Education: An Exploratory Factor Analysis

• In Event: Division D Graduate Student in Progress Research Gala

Abstract

As more students take advantage of online distance education, course content is increasingly inaccessible to students with disabilities. Postsecondary institutions struggle to shift to a proactive and systemic approach as accessibility case law quickly changes expectations. This proposed study will use a descriptive quantitative survey methodology to explore the associations between the characteristics of institutions and individuals who are responsible for implementing accessibility within online higher education courses. This study aims to identify potentially testable hypotheses that can guide future research about how institutions can systematically and holistically address accessibility, and ultimately, how these practices impact students with disabilities.

Author

• Rita Fennelly-Atkinson, Digital Promise