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Hello, my name is Rima Maldonado, and I would like to take a few minutes to share information
regarding our efforts on the Fresno State campus as participants in the CSU Accessible
Technology Initiative. It is also our hope that this short video will create increased
interest in applying Universal Design, which is an approach to the design of products and
services to be usable by the greatest number of people, including individuals with disabilities.
Alfredo Guillen is a Fresno State student and has a visual impairment. Alfredo has greatly
benefited from Universal Design Strategies adopted here at Fresno State, which have improved
his ability to learn.
Being visually impaired, I find it useful when PowerPoint presentations are provided
ahead of time. I also find it useful when I have accessibility to books in alternative
formats. Also presenting articles in Blackboard or sending them through emails is very helpful
to me. All these things are helpful not only to me as a disabled student but to all students
in our learning process.
Fresno State has many services available to faculty to assist them in the Universal Design
Process. Technology Innovations for Learning and Teaching, also known as TILT provides
a number of these important services for the campus community.
Hello I'm Mary Bennett, Instructional Designer in TILT. We are dedicated to serving our campus
as part of the CSU's Accessible Technology Initiative. To meet this goal we provide information,
resources and technology to faculty so that they may meet the needs of individuals with
disabilities.
There are several ways in which TILT supports the initiative:
First, we provide tools for designing your syllabi in an accessible format. You can download
the Syllabus Template for face-to-face courses from the Academics Website or the Syllabus
Template for online or web-enhanced courses from the Resources Area on the TILT website.
You will also find videos, tutorials, and documentation created to support the Accessible
Technology Initiative.
Second, you can attend TILT's "Make Your Documents Accessible" workshop. This workshop will teach
you how to create accessible Word and tagged PDF documents, The schedule for this and other
workshops may be found on the TILT website. Don't hesitate to contact the TILT staff for
assistance.
I would like to leave you with three more easy-to-remember Universal Design strategies
you can employ for the benefit of all your students. First, consider different learning
styles when preparing material. Students learn in a variety of ways, and, while some do best
with visual information, others rely primarily on their aural skills. Sharing knowledge through
multiple avenues, such as the use of PowerPoint, allows students to both see and hear the information
being presented.
Second, some instructors furnish lecture notes with an online audio link to their lectures.
It is also helpful to make sure notes are in outline format so visually impaired students
can use screen readers.
Third, consider updating materials that are difficult to read, especially copies of material
that have been recycled over several semesters. Be sure that all instructional materials are
in a clear, easy-to-read format that can be accessed by all students.
For further assistance with Universal Design best practices, visit the staff at Services
for Students with Disabilities in the Henry Madden Library and stay tuned for future workshops
presented by the Center for the Scholarly Advancement of Learning and Teaching, also
known as CSALT.
I would like to thank the Fresno State ATI-Instructional Materials Committee for preparing this video...and
please remember...an improved classroom environment for one student improves learning for all
students. Thank you.