Classroom accessibility to meet the diverse needs of students in higher education can be challenging. The ADA (1990) was enacted into law in the United States more than 25 years ago. Yet despite legislative reform, many U.S. colleges and universities struggle to meet accessibility standards in their instructional facilities. The purpose of this case study was to explore the perspectives of undergraduate students served by the University of Georgia Disability Resource Center on how the physical classroom space impacts learning for students with disabilities. Results from an explanatory mixed methods design indicated that how classroom designs impact learning depends on individual student needs. That said, the data showed concurrence across several classroom design features impacting the learning experience, including furniture, access, technology, and environmental features of a space. Participants indicated these features impacted their learning experience in various ways, including impeded access and participation, barriers for learning, and distractions and sensory impacts. The results of this study indicated that accessibility is a complex process involving many constituents on campus, from facility planners to institutional leaders to faculty. By adopting more inclusive principles such as Universal Design, we can broaden current accessibility practices that focus solely on users who are disabled to address a broader consideration: "How can we rethink classroom design so it benefits all?"

This accessible, reader-friendly resource provides important information and helpful strategies for preschool and kindergarden teachers in inclusive environments who have little or no training in special education and assisting students with special needs.

An in-depth, evidence-based design approach to the design of elementary and secondary schools The contemporary school must be a vibrant, living extension of its community. Evidence-Based Design of Elementary and Secondary Schools instructs design professionals on how to successfully achieve this goal. With assistance from research-intensive principles grounded in theories, concepts, and research methodologies—and with roots in the behavioral sciences—this book examines and provides strategies for pooling streams of information to establish a holistic design approach that is responsive to the changing needs of educators and their students. This book: Delivers an overview of the current research and learning theories in education, and how they apply to contemporary school design Explores the history of school design in the United States Examines the role of information technology in education Includes case studies of more than twenty exemplary school designs, based on research of the best physical environments for learning and education Considers what learning environments may be in the near future Evidence-Based Design of Elementary and Secondary Schools analyzes the current shift toward a modern architectural paradigm that balances physical beauty, and social awareness, and building technologies with functionality to create buildings that optimize the educational experience for all learners. Enlightening as well as informative, this forward-thinking guide provides educational facility planners, designers, and architects with the tools they need to confidently approach their next school building project. In addition, this guide provides administrators, educators, and researchers with design options for rethinking and creating innovative learning environments.

Based upon the authors' many years of classroom experience and consulting work this volume is filled with practical, research-based and tested strategies to help teachers create an environment that supports students' sense of self-esteem, influence and autonomy whilst preventing possible conflict.

"This book by first-time Heinemann author Jessica Martin is about creating structure and environment to address classroom management issues. Most importantly, it highlights the necessity of co-designing with students-not just for students. Jessica spent a lot of time in real classrooms (especially west coast settings) to collect ideas and capture a multitude of design options that will offer flexible, inclusive learning"--

Discover motivating, personalized learning strategies that all of your students will love! Build an active, responsive, and inclusive classroom where every student benefits. Through step-by-step directions, reproducible handouts, classroom-tested examples, and specific guidelines, teachers and teacher teams will discover 60 activities to help you: Quickly and easily modify and adapt design instruction for diverse learners, including students with cultural, language, learning, physical, or sensory differences Transform lectures and whole-class discussions through dynamic, student-centered learning experiences Immerse students in discussion, debate, creative thinking, questioning, teamwork, and collaborative learning Flexibly co-plan and co-teach with a variety of school professionals The revised edition of this bestselling resource includes step-by-step directions, reproducible handouts, classroom-tested examples, and specific guidelines. Discover quick and easy ways to help all learners participate, contribute, and learn with this unique guide! "This book is a gold mine of strategies to increase engagement, participation, and JOY for all students in inclusive classrooms. The examples and implementation suggestions make is easy for K-12 teachers to select and apply strategies that make learning meaningful and fun." —Barb Gruber, Inclusion Facilitator Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education "One of the many things I appreciate about this new edition is the range of its examples. Regardless of grade level or subject area, all K-12 teachers will find relevant gems here." —Kelly Chandler-Olcott, Associate Dean for Research Syracuse University

In this comprehensive resource on inclusive schooling, administrators, general and special educators, and parents explore how inclusive education can support a diverse student body at all grade levels. They show how schools can meet standards and provide a "least restrictive environment" for students with disabilities by using cooperative learning, teaming, multi-age grouping, multicultural education, social skills training, and educational technology applications. And they explain how to facilitate change by using universal design principles and other curricular, instructional, assessment, and organizational practices. The authors examine the prevailing myths and the most frequently asked questions about inclusive education, and they provide an extensive list of resources. Woven through the book are the personal stories of people with disabilities and the educators and parents who work with them. As their voices make clear, inclusion is more than an educational buzzword; inclusion is a way of life, based on the belief that each individual is valued and belongs.