Introduction

Creating Better Learning Materials for Neurodivergent and Disabled Students: A Guide for Cornell Engineering Professors

We are team ADA & Neurodivergent Learning Materials and this is our user document for Project 2. We wanted to help Cornell Engineering professors like you in creating better learning materials for neurodivergent and otherwise disabled Cornell Engineering students. In order to do so, we made this comprehensive Canvas course that includes information about ADA compliance, background information on a number of disabilities, and abundant tutorials and resources for making accessible learning materials.

Introduction

Professors in the College of Engineering may not know exactly how to address the needs of disabled and neurodivergent students. In particular, professors may have little experience teaching students with disabilities and/or have received little to no guidance in teaching disabled students. Professors need clear, comprehensive, and centralized information to properly understand and teach disabled students, which this guide intends to provide.

This guide includes learning modules designed to (1) inform Cornell Engineering professors about the conditions and capacities of students with various disabilities, and (2) to instruct them in making effective learning materials for these students.

First, we offer a brief history of special education, particularly at the college level, and second, we've linked a brief overview of the bodies of legislation that apply to Cornell Engineering's accessibility standards, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

1. Special Education History 
2. Legal Overview

Common Disabilities

Each page provides (1) background information on a particular disability, (2) classroom practices that benefits these types of students, and (3) resources you can use to create learning materials catered to students with that disability.

• Understanding Students with ADHD
• Understanding Students with Autism
• Understanding Students with Auditory Disabilities
• Understanding Students with Visual Disabilities
• Understanding Students with Dyslexia

Tasks

This module includes tutorials and resources you may need to accomplish common tasks such as captioning videos and creating ADA compliant documents.

• Captioning Videos
• Working with SDS

 

Published August 3rd, 2021