Name
Workshop: Cultivating Access and Excellence: Practical Universal Design Strategies for Teaching & Learning in Higher Education
Date & Time
Monday, June 22, 2026, 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Speakers
Dale Layfield - Clemson University
Torrie Cropps - The University of Texas at Dallas
Mia C. Sullivan - The Pennsylvania State University
Bohdana Vyshnivska - Clemson University
Torrie Cropps - The University of Texas at Dallas
Mia C. Sullivan - The Pennsylvania State University
Bohdana Vyshnivska - Clemson University
Description
Accessibility in agriculture ranges from a wide variety of strategies, tools, and resources to make learning accessible for all. In higher education, accessibility is necessary for the development of future agriculturalists who are representative of different abilities.
At the conclusion of this workshop, attendees should be able to:
1. Define accessibility in higher education for agricultural faculty.
2. Identify key accessibility principles in teaching and learning tools (slide presentation design and research posters) that enhance learning for all students.
3. Identify successes and challenges of accessibility in agricultural learning and working spaces in higher education through Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
UDL is a pedagogical approach focusing on meeting the needs of all students, not only those with disabilities. UDL principles can and should be applied to course design, laboratory experiences, and assessment methods to ensure all students equally engage with course activity and materials and demonstrate their understanding of course concepts. Implementing user-centered UDL principles can lead to better outcomes not only in learning environments but also in the workplace.
To prepare for the workshop, an accessibility inventory will be sent to NACTA members prior to the conference. This will be used to identify common accessibility issues across learning environments. NACTA members will also be asked to share in advance, through a Qualtrics survey or the App, PhotoCircle, photos of accessibility challenges from their institutions. This will assist in a discussion session at the workshop. Meeting the objectives of the workshop and aligning with NACTA’s mission to seek improvement in post-secondary teaching through discussion of teaching techniques, we will: a) share how we implement user-centered classroom practices and work in community with attendees to help them determine how they can use the practices in their own classes, and b) identify factors ensuring accessibility in classroom presentations and research posters.
Session Type
Workshop