Transforming Faculty Development for Accessibility With a Student Coach Model: Findings From a Pilot Initiative

• In Event: Pedagogues Improving Content and Diversity Knowledge

Abstract

Faculty development is a critical component of diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, but the experiences of disabled students are rarely centered in inclusive teaching programs. To address these needs, a new initiative was developed at a large, public university. Using a student-faculty partnership model, disabled students served as course consultants to faculty, working closely together in a semester-long partnership. The initiative was designed to fundamentally shift faculty mindsets about and approaches to inclusion and accessibility, while also equipping faculty with practical tools for improving access in their courses. In this paper, we describe the faculty development model and share findings from the project’s qualitative research into how the program helped faculty learn about inclusive teaching.

Authors

• Julie Sievers, University of Texas at Austin
  Presenting Author

• Stephanie W. Cawthon, University of Texas at Austin
  Presenting Author

• Ryan A. Mata, University of Texas at Austin
  Presenting Author

• Ana Guadalupe Vielma, University of Texas at Austin
  Presenting Author

• Yiqiu Yan, University of Texas at Austin
  Presenting Author