Due to targeted college-enhancement programs in secondary school more students, with and without disabilities, desire to receive a bachelor’s degree. Currently, the number of undergraduate students who report having a disability make up 19.5% of the total population. Moreover, college students with disabilities and those without disabilities enroll in STEM programs at near identical rates (28% v 28%). However, there is insufficient data on how students with disabilities and those without are supported within STEM programs. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted existing deficiencies in many programs, with a clear lack of adequate support during the transition to remote learning and an uptick in mental health issues resulting from the pandemic.<br/> <br/>In 2008, the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) was reauthorized to ensure Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is embedded in post-secondary education coursework. UDL is an evidence-based framework specifically designed to support the learning of all students by utilizing a student-centered approach that provides multifaceted pathways to access academic content. The learning environment in UDL is created from the ground up to be self-sufficient and enhance independence for all students by reducing the need for individualized accommodations. UDL provides flexibility in presenting information to students, flexibility in the ways students engage with the material, and flexibility in how students demonstrate their knowledge. We report our results on how UDL can be applied to scientific research programs, creating a supportive environment for all students. An environment that does not need individualized accommodations to be inclusive because it is inbuilt with appropriate accommodations for students with diverse needs. Moreover, this approach does not necessitate students with disabilities to disclose in order to get the support they need, lowering the barrier for entry. This work is broadly applicable to science departments across the country and serves as a template for other research programs.

Application of universal design of learning (UDL) to chemical education: Enhancing scientific communication skills of students with disabilities

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.