FNED502-BBC

Link to Language Magazine Smart form the Start The Promise of Universal Design for Learning This article describes the difficulties encountered in education and learning when space and materials are not accessible for all students, including those with disabilities. Over the years, thanks to initiatives such as the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, the physical space of buildings and classrooms have gained more attention. A more universal design needed to be developed and found to be most cost effective if addressed at the onset of building plans, rather than as an afterthought. Universal design can also be applied to curricula, materials, and methods. As the development of better, faster technology continues to hit the market, materials and tools such as eBooks, with “read-out-loud”, translators, visual aids, provide for faster more challenging and effective differentiation. Traditional tools and methods are proving suboptimal for teaching in tod...

Ways To Reteach Disability ·       Teach “difference”- differences are viewed subjectively. Compare and contrast how the non-disabled and the disabled view “disability”. Use documentary video and films to demonstrate perspectives. ·       Discuss disability-related language- avoid putting down disability by using phrases such as “That’s retarded”, “are you deaf?”. ·       Contemplate disability as a minority label ·       Study the meaning of the words “able” and “disabled”. ·       Teach the history of people with disabilities, including the disability rights movement ·       Analyze stereotypes of “good guys” and “bad guys”-portraying certain disabilities as indicators. ·       Critique representations of disability in films, literature and cartoons ·     ...