AccessSTEM
Activity 1. How Many in the Bag?
MESA Accessibility Supplement: Measuring Earthquakes
This set of activities involves manipulating small objects, doing logarithmic math, and plotting coordinates on maps. Have students work with partners or in small groups so that each student can contribute according to his or her strengths. For information on suggested accommodations, select an activity below.
Psychosocial Impairments
Request and encourage student input on how to best accommodate the student's learning needs.
Establish and honor classroom schedules and practices. Let the student know ahead of time of any changes to the classroom routines.
In group activities, assign the student to a group with supportive peers. Provide clear instructions so that students know exactly what is expected of them.
Help the student learn to anticipate situations that will be difficult and to plan in advance appropriate response strategies.
Mobility Impairments
Request and encourage student input on how to best accommodate the student's learning needs.
Because this unit involves manipulation of small objects, make adjustments for a student with upper body mobility impairment or fine motor coordination issues; sometimes working with a partner is effective. Also, consult lab design recommendations for students with mobility impairments at AssisTech.
Consider providing a note taker.
Consider providing a lab assistant or lab partner for the student.
Low Vision
Request and encourage student input on how to best accommodate the student's learning needs.
Consider the position, lighting, and seating needs of the student during presentations or when using text, manipulatives, transparencies or other projected images.
Provide large-print lecture notes, handouts, and worksheets.
Use a scanner to create an electronic version of images, charts, or maps, and display them in a larger format on a computer monitor, or use an LCD projector.
Learning Disabilities
Request and encourage student input on how to best accommodate the student's learning needs.
Consider reformatting documents to minimize clutter and/or providing materials in large-print format. Ask the student if this would be helpful.
Allow extra time for assignments and exams. Provide alternative testing arrangements.
Consider having the student work with a partner and providing extra assistance if this activity presents significant challenges.
Hearing Impairments
Request and encourage student input on how to best accommodate the student's learning needs.
Provide a sign language interpreter, real-time captioning, and/or an FM system.
Use visual aids to explain concepts to the student.
Give assignments, lab instructions, and demonstration summaries in writing.
Consider the needs of students with disabilities during lab orientation and lab safety meetings.
Assign group activities in which all students take responsibility and contribute according to their abilities.
Health Impairments
Request and encourage student input on how to best accommodate the student's learning needs.
Provide a mechanism for students to learn material and make up assignments that they missed because of absences.
Provide flexibility in scheduling and attendance.
Talk with the student and family about any impacts of class activities on the student. Let the student know well ahead of time of classroom activities that may present a problem.
Blindness
Request and encourage student input on how to best accommodate the student's learning needs.
Provide audiotaped, Brailled, or electronic-formatted lecture notes, handouts, and texts.
Give clear verbal descriptions of visual aids including video and printed content used throughout your presentation.