Humboldt State University

Meeting the Needs of ALL Students through Two Exciting Initiatives:  EnACT and ATI

Do all students have equal access to a quality education at HSU?  The answer is, “We are actively working on it.”  HSU is involved in two initiatives seeking to meet the needs of all students.  HSU was one of the three original CSU campuses to become a partner in the Ensuring Access through Collaboration and Technology (EnACT) grant.  EnACT distinguishes itself as a model demonstration project in that it provides faculty across the California State University (CSU) system with a comprehensive model of professional development that focuses on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). UDL mirrors the universal design movement in architecture and product development, which began in the 1970s. Think of speakerphones, curb cuts, and close-captioned television—all universally designed to accommodate a wide variety of users, including those with disabilities.

While faculty at postsecondary institutions have expertise in their respective content areas, many have not received training and support focused on effective instructional strategies. EnACT offers faculty participants with a series of professional development activities that support their understanding and implementation of UDL at the post secondary level. UDL encourages faculty to consider three main principles including how they Represent their course content, how they Engage students in the learning process and how they offer students varied ways to Express what they have learned. UDL allows faculty to consider these principles to the benefit of all students including students with disabilities.  Approximately 50 faculty have been trained in UDL principles thus far.

EnACT supports the Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) which is the Chancellor’s Office roadmap for achieving full compliance with the CSU’s ongoing commitment to provide access to information resources to students with disabilities.  ATI is a far reaching mandate that encourages the concept of "Universal Design for Learning" in which accessibility is considered in the design phase of instruction, electronic information dissemination, and the purchase of electronic equipment. It requires the participation of all members and segments of our campus community to be actively involved.

A large Task Force group made up of individuals representing faculty, staff and administration has been hard at work developing the comprehensive plans required to meet yearly benchmarks.  There is an informational web site attached to the Main HSU homepage under “A” for “Accessible Technology Initiative.”  A tremendous amount of information is listed there including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Helpful Links.  Check out our web page.  The address is: www.humboldt.edu/~ati .  To find out more about EnACT visit http://enact.sonoma.edu/udl.

Submitted by Tasha Souza, HSU Faculty Development Coordinator & Project Director of EnACT and Kevin O’Brien, Director of Student Disabilities Resource Center