Universal design and accessibility tools in the learning management system: success strategies for students with disabilities at a community college

With the Americans with Disabilities Act passage in 1990 and the increasing number of
undergraduate students with disabilities, there has been very little research done on the efficacy
of accessibility efforts compared to the amount of research literature on implementation. This
project took the constructivist grounded theory research approach to identify the effects of
universal design and accessibility tools are for students with disabilities at the community
colleges within Michigan.
The project identified the need for a champion for students with disabilities with the
authority to create and implement an institutional policy for accessibility. Mandatory training in
accessibility best practices and guidelines are needed for faculty and staff. Training of
accessibility tools would be beneficial for faculty, staff, and students. However, more
importantly, assessment of accessibility efforts and the usage of accessibility tools is needed for
the success of students with disabilities.