Welcome to a cold and clear December!
As we continue to work to provide the best possible services for our students, we are becoming more focused on the need to employ principles of "universal design." Universal design is a principle that originated in architecture and industrial design, with the notion that great design takes into account both the purpose or use of the object and the many different users it will serve, including those with disabilities. It is "the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible."(citation here)
Universal design in schools takes into account not only the physical environment and tools for learning--think ramps in schools and signage with braille--but the curriculum and instruction itself. Sheryl Burgstahler writes the following about universal design for instruction:
Universal Design means that, rather than designing your instruction for the average student, you design for potential students with a broad range in ability, disability, age, reading level, learning style, native language, race, ethnicity, and other characteristics. Universal design of instruction (UDI) can be discussed as a process, as a set of strategies applied to specific aspects of instruction, or as a goal.
See the entire article here.
Universal design is, in fact, great differentiated instruction, instruction that takes into account the many different learning styles in any group of students. With a few tangible adjustments to the classroom environment, ALL students can experience more instructional intensity and less frustration, and all classrooms can become more inclusive. Universal instructional design should include one or more of the following:
- Multiple means of representation
- Multiple means of delivering instruction
- Multiple means of expressing knowledge and/or understanding
- Multiple means of engagement
At our recent SEAAC (special education advisory and advocacy council) meeting, we had a great presentation by the folks from DO-IT at the University of Washington. They shared the different ways they are using assistive technology to support students with disabilities as they pursue post high-school education. DO-IT works in partnership with Seattle Public Schools to prepare High School students for success in post high-school goals. See their website for information about a college preparation event on April 22nd at Seattle Central Community College.
Aside from great universal design, students may need the additional support of assistive technology. So what is assistive technology?
Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of students with disabilities. In the spirit of universal design, some assistive technology is already available to support students in every classroom in Seattle. For example:
- Every classroom has a "presentation station," with a document camera (today's updated version of an overhead projector, pictured above) and a presentation computer so that students can have visual reinforcement at all times
- Most classrooms have voice enhancement systems available to provide additional auditory support
- Most libraries and many classrooms have access to software that supports the reading and writing process
If your student needs further support from assistive technology, she/he should be assessed by a member of our Assistive Technology team. This referral can be made through your student's IEP teacher, or by contacting the Special Education department directly at 252-0058. An Assistive Technology referral form will soon be available on our website for you to access.
Effective assistive technology can be as simple as a pencil grip that can help a student increase fluency and stamina in writing:
It can also be a portable word-processing keyboard (an "alpha smart"), also helpful for students as they build their stamina as writers:
Students may need to use a number line as they work with addition and subtraction: 
A Vanguard speech-generation device helps students with communication:
Please do not hesitate to contact your principal, special education teacher, consulting teacher, or our main Special Education department with any further questions about how we can support your student!
