Disabled Student Coaching: A Student-Led, Collaborative Approach to Accessibility in Higher Education (Poster 13)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Nine
  In Poster Session: Learning Environments for Formal and Informal Education

Abstract

The current pilot, The Collaborative for Access and Equity, leverages the lived experiences of disabled students along with faculty, staff, and campus resources to create an innovative community model built towards improving accessibility in higher education learning environments. The model is driven by collaboration between disabled student “coaches” and faculty partners, constituting a novel way of facilitating faculty development relying on recommendations of those with recent, current experiences–both positive and negative–with design features, pedagogy strategies, and academic accommodations both conducive and detrimental to accessibility. A combination of inductive and deductive interpretive approaches across several data sources shows the benefits of such a student coach/faculty partner model, including the exchange of experiences, perspectives, and strategies for promoting inclusive, accessible classes.

Authors

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

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

• Desiree Lama, University of Texas at Austin
  Non-Presenting Author

• Eric Ge, University of Texas at Austin
  Non-Presenting Author

• Soren Aldaco, University of Texas at Austin
  Non-Presenting Author

• Yiqiu Yan, University of Texas at Austin
  Non-Presenting Author

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