Accommodation Dispensing or Course Design Consulting?: Views and Experiences of Accessibility Consultants Contributing to Inclusive Course Redesigns in Postsecondary Education

Authors

  • Philip Burge Humber College, Queen's University
  • Josephine Mazzuca Professor, Humber College, Toronto, Ontario

Keywords:

accessibility consultants, accommodations, inclusive course designs, postsecondary education

Abstract

There are growing demands to proactively support students with disabilities in postsecondary education. This article examines a mixed-methods study with accessibility consultants and other faculty in a community college pilot program focussed on redesigning courses to increase inclusiveness. Findings highlight the successful and well-received role of the accessibility consultants collaborating in redesign triads. Challenges experienced by accessibility consultants are also discussed, for example, around time allocation for this type of work along with their daily support of students. Recommendations for accessibility consultants involvement in expanding inclusive course redesigns are made, such as, including them more in the process of curriculum design and ensuring appropriate time for their participation.

Author Biographies

Philip Burge, Humber College, Queen's University

Philip Burge PhD, RSW is a Professor at Humber College, Toronto, Canada and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. As an educator and researcher, he has had published over 20 peer-reviewed papers including A quarter century of inclusive education for children with intellectual disabilities in Ontario: Public perceptions. Philip is currently involved in several projects related to increasing the proactive inclusion of diverse learners in postsecondary education.  

Josephine Mazzuca, Professor, Humber College, Toronto, Ontario

Josephine Mazzuca, PhD, is a researcher with over 20 years experience currently teaching courses in Qualitative Research Methods and Sociology in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences at Humber College. She has also applied her research expertise to both the corporate and the non-profit sector, conducting studies in market and employee research and in the areas of domestic violence and child welfare, as well as program evaluations for social agencies. She completed her graduate work at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/University of Toronto (OISE/UT) in the department of Sociology and Equity Studies with a focus on qualitative research methods.

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Published

2022-12-21

Issue

No. 201 (2022)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2022 Dr. Burge, Dr. Mazzuca

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