Leslie Smith has 35 years of experience in higher education and has played a critical role in promoting accessibility while breaking down the stigma surrounding disability services.
Leslie recently shared with us that by simply changing the name of their department from "Disability Services" to "Access Center" and implementing innovative tools like Glean, sparked a significant shift in campus culture, fostering an inclusive learning environment for all students.
Let's take a deeper dive into how that worked at Volunteer State.
The importance of inclusive language
The term disability can often carry negative connotations, evoking feelings of limitation and inadequacy. By contrast, ‘access’ is a more positive and empowering word that emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for all students.
This subtle change in language had a profound effect on how students, faculty, and staff perceived the department's role.
Leveraging technology for universal access
The student population has evolved, with learners who were once considered ‘non-traditional’ now making up the new majority. Many institutions are failing to adequately support these students, especially those who may not qualify for existing support programs.
Volunteer State Community College’s dedication to inclusivity on campus includes providing essential tools for all students. This commitment led to the successful implementation of Glean Site Wide, with over 1,000 students registered to use it with the hope of getting even more.
Glean benefits not only students with disabilities but also a wide range of learners, including:
- First-generation students
- International and English as a Second Language (ESL) students
- Post 25 students
- Working students
- Neuro-divergent students
- All students: Glean can enhance learning for all students by providing a comprehensive record of class content, which can be reviewed and studied at their own pace.
Breaking down stigma and fostering a supportive community
In the case of Volunteer State Community College and many other institutions, one of the biggest challenges faced by their students with disabilities is stigma.
By using inclusive language and leveraging technology, there’s been proven evidence that this helps to break down these barriers and create a more welcoming and supportive community.
Leslie emphasized that students were more likely to seek out support services without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Embracing Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
UDL is an educational framework that guides the creation of flexible learning environments that can meet the needs of diverse learners.
By providing multiple means of representation, multiple means of action and expression, and multiple means of engagement, UDL ensures that all students have the opportunity to succeed.
This was the case for the Access Center at Volunteer State Community College.
Key takeaways that you can implement at your institution
This powerful story, shared by Leslie Smith is a reminder of the importance of language and technology in shaping our perceptions and behaviors.
By choosing our words carefully and embracing inclusive technologies, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world.
- Re-evaluate your language: are there terms you use that might be unintentionally exclusionary?
- Educate yourself: learn more about disability etiquette, inclusive practices, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
- Advocate for change: be the voice and encourage your organization or community to adopt more inclusive language, policies, and technologies.
- Embrace inclusive technology: explore tools like Glean to enhance your learning and teaching experiences.
If all institutions embraced this approach, could it significantly impact current and future learners who feel unsupported?
Did you miss the webinar and want further insight on becoming an inclusive institution? The webinar is available to watch now.
