Assessing the Physical Environment

First and foremost, it is important that students with disabilities are able to get to the classroom. In most cases, faculty members do not determine the location of their classes. If you learn that a student is unable to get to a class because it is being held in an inaccessible location, contact your disability services office or follow your campus policy for getting a change in room assignment.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines Checklist

There are other considerations related to the physical environment that you may be able to adjust on your own.

• Make sure the room has good lighting and that there is not a light source behind you. This is helpful to a variety of students. Students who are hard of hearing or deaf rely on visual communication—whether it is sign language or speech reading. They will be able to understand you or the interpreter better if lighting is good. Students with low vision will also benefit from good lighting. Students with attention deficit disorder may also be able to focus better if they are able to see you clearly.
  
  
• Remove physical barriers that block students’ line of sight. If you tend to remain in one place, make sure all students have a clear view of you. If you tend to move around, do not block students' view of the interpreter (if there is one). Also try to avoid moving behind objects that block your face, (i.e. overhead projectors or structural columns).
  
  
• Make sure there are not a lot of competing noises. Extraneous noise makes hearing difficult for students who are hard of hearing. It also makes concentration more difficult for students whose ability to attend is already compromised by attention deficit disorder, medications, or fatigue.
  
  
• Consider using amplification even it if is not requested by students. Research indicates that attention span of students increases when amplification is used.
  
  
• Make sure lab activities and equipment are accessible to students with a wide range of physical abilities.The websites below may help you examine the accessibility of your lab.
  
  
  • Georgia Tech: Barrier Free Education
    
    
  • DO-IT Faculty Room: Science Labs
    
    
  • DO-IT Video- Working Together: Science Teachers and Students with Disabilities