AHEAD Symposium A Charter for Inclusive Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin. 28 th April 2009 Mary O Grady, Disability Officer, UCC

Theme Quality- Concrete Example of Innovation The objective of this presentation:  To give an overview of the QI/QA Review of Disability Support Service, UCC and outline the outcomes  Give practical examples of innovation in embedding disability into the framework of the University by creating more inclusive approaches to teaching and learning

Quality Review of Disability Support Service 2006/07 The Quality Promotion Unit states that: “Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance is the responsibility of every member of staff at UCC and the primary aim of the Quality Review Process is to provide the best possible student experience and to foster an ethos of quality improvement at all levels”

Aspects of Quality Review Process Comprehensive evaluation of the Service; including a review of all policies, structures, supports and procedures used by DSS. The Review process involved:  Dissemination of questionnaires to all stakeholders of the service  Evaluation of Feedback  Benchmarking Exercise  Peer Review Visit and Report  Endorsement of recommendations and development of Quality Improvement Plan

Quality Review- Stakeholder Analysis Extracts from External Stakeholder Analysis Strengths  The DSS is a very professional, supportive and efficient service  Good training in use of Assistive Technologies  Excellent support given to students in transition to employment Weaknesses  More communication with academic departments regarding needs of students with disabilities  More disability awareness training needed at all levels in the University  Need to market the service to all in coming students

Quality Review-Benchmarking Exercise Due to diverse range of supports offered by the DSS, it was decided to benchmark three areas. They were:  Assistive technology resource provision  Supports for Blind and vision impaired students  Co-ordination of Educational Support Workers Universities chosen to participate in the Benchmarking Process  Westminister University, Open University for AT provision  Strathclyde University and Trinity College for support of students with sensory disabilities  Queens University, Belfast for their approach to coordination of educational support workers

Peer Review Visit and Report 4 Peer Reviewers were involved in this process- Two external and two internal Methodology-  All documentation on the Service reviewed  Meetings and discussions with all stakeholders of the service and senior management over three days  Compilation of Report and Recommendations for the future

Endorsement of findings by Quality Promotion Committee and support for Recommendations The recommendations for improvement made by the Peer Reviewers were endorsed by the University and now constitute: The Strategic Plan for the Disability Support Service

Quality Improvement Plan Four Key areas were identified for development. Actions and timelines were developed to address these areas.  Funding of the Service  Internal Management Structure  Development of Inclusive Educational Experience  Creation of an inclusive teaching/learning environment

Creation of a more Inclusive Teaching and Learning Environment  What has changed two years later?

Example of Innovation- Mainstreaming of AT Provision for students with disabilities  Mainstreaming of AT software across campus  Worked with Computer Centre to ensure software for dyslexic and vision impaired students was embedded into the mirror image for all pc’s on campus Benefits  Students with disabilities can access specialised technologies such as Read and Write Gold, Inspiration and Zoom text in the mainstream  Enhanced Independence of students with disabilities  Enhanced Employability on Graduation

Example of Innovation- Enhanced Accessibility of Blackboard System for all students  All students use Blackboard/ intranet system to access notes and information on academic programmes  The DSS has worked with key players to ensure all academics upload accessible notes and documents on intranet system  Developed Accessible Information Policy Benefits  All students benefit but students with print disabilities benefit in particular-  The DSS has also benefited, as less notetaking support is needed  Reduction in notetaking costs to NAO  Students are more independent learners

Example of Innovation-Communication with Academic Departments  Nominated Disability Liaison Reps in all academic Depts  Communication between DSS and Disability Reps involves:  Access Newsletter  12 hour Disability Awareness Programme repeated in first and second term  DSS Input to Staff Meetings in Academic Depts  Regular e mail contact with Dept Reps re students with disabilities Benefits  Point of contact in Academic Depts for students with disabilities enhances inclusion  Reps raise awareness of disability issues with academic colleagues

Example of Good Practice- Integration of Blind student in teaching and learning environment  Invite extended to all lecturers of B.I.S. and Law Degree Programmes to attend part of Orientation Programme of incoming Blind students  Text Access issues addressed before start of academic year  Lecturers took responsibility for sourcing of electronic books  Academic Dept sourced graduates of programmes to liaise with blind students each week to address any learning difficulties  DSS provided tactile print outs of all visual concepts Benefits  Close collaboration between DSS, Student and Academic Depts  Positive awareness experiences for fellow students  Electronic Books diminished need for conversion of texts to alternative formats  Integrated experience of learning for the student  All students benefited from additional notes put on Blackboard

Lessons Learned  Need to Communicate continuously across campus so that the ethos of inclusion is adopted in development of all policies, practices and procedures  Mainstream disability provision in every aspect of the educational experience, so that the message of inclusion is embedded in the culture of the University

Challenges for the Future One of the Peer Reviewers- said at our Quality Review: “The sign of a Truly Excellent Disability Service is where there is no need for a service, as the University Experience is truly inclusive”

Contact details Mary O’ Grady Head of Department Disability Support Service UCC Tel: 021 – Fax: 021 – Website: