The Next Normal: Reflections, Insights, and Preparation for the Year Ahead

Kimberly Doan, Associate Director
Tufts University

 

Throughout the past year, disability service providers have navigated increasingly complex student, faculty and university needs amidst the broad-reaching effects of the global pandemic. Extended hours, Zoom fatigue, and both structural and financial institution adjustments have stretched higher education staff and faculty to the limit. Throughout this period however, a spotlight has shown across institutions highlighting the crucial need for accessible and equitable experiences for all learners. From closed captions on asynchronous lecture recordings to newly envisioned assignments and assessments, instructors and administrators were forced to quickly adjust to remote and hybrid online environments. Disability professionals became educators across the campus community as they shared expertise in accessibility practices. So, how can we prepare for continued changes as we embark on our “next normal”? In this session, the presenter will discuss how the pandemic has impacted their institution in the areas of academic, housing, dining, and transportation accommodation requests. Other topics covered in this presentation will include:

  • The process of re-examining accommodations after the shift to online learning
  • Navigating unique accessibility requests related to COVID
  • Collaboration with campus partners on requests that were not disability related (for example, COVID testing accommodations, part-time status, housing needs)
  • Supporting instructors in course design and provision of resources in varying modalities
  • Supporting students in a remote learning environment
  • Looking forward and planning for the fall semester, despite definitive university plans
  • Considerations for accommodation implementation across modalities
  • New accommodations requests for remote/asynchronous learning
  • Supporting students in re-acclimating to the classroom environment and social spaces
  • Exploring supporting students with new COVID-related disabilities
  • Considerations for office management moving forward

This session is also intended to provide an opportunity for attendees to share their experiences and lessons learned throughout the past year.  

Kimberly Doan (she/her/hers) is the Associate Director of the Student Accessibility and Academic Resource Center at Tufts University. Here, she supports the campus community through advocating for an equitable and accessible environment for all learners. Holding a Master’s degree in Child Study and Human Development, Kimberly has over a decade’s worth experience in higher education. In addition to her work at Tufts, she has most recently served as an accessibility consultant for the Harvard University Division of Continuing Education, adjunct instructor at Dean College, and has had presentations featured at the Postsecondary Disability Training Institute and the Association on Higher Education and Disability. Research areas of interest include resiliency, student transition, and DEIJ initiatives. She can be reached at Kimberly.doan@tufts.edu and www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlydoanprofile.