Lab design

Many students who have specific accessibility needs are registered with the Centre for Accessibility. Students and/or their Accessibility Advisors may reach out to you before the start of term to let you know about any specific requirements. In some cases, the student and their Advisor might work with you to modify certain course components. The goal is to ensure all course requirements and learning outcomes are satisfied while also ensuring the student can safely and comfortably participate. Examples of course modifications might include a lab assistant to help the student perform experiments, alternate format course materials (3D or tactile models to supplement images), or alternative assignments.

Where possible, providing access to lab instructions in advance can allow students to prepare and give them the opportunity to flag any accessibility requirements or accommodations needed. If specific course components cannot be shared in advance, providing a general list of common lab activities and actions could be a useful alternative for students and Accessibility Advisors.

Incorporating elements of accessible design into your lab planning, like offering multiple options or versions of a given lab or assignment, can help minimize any potential needed modifications.