Accommodating
Adults
with Disabilities in Adult Education Programs
Division
of Adult Studies
1122 West Campus Dr., JR Pearson Hall, Rm. 517
Lawrence, KS 66045
Phone: (785) 864-7085
Adult education
program staff confront significant challenges of diverse learner needs, very
limited resources, and fragmented support as they respond to their mission "of
improving educational opportunities for adults who lack the level of literacy
skills needed to be effective citizens and productive employees." This challenge
is significantly increased for the estimated 30% of adult education participants
with disabilities (USDE Office of Vocational and Adult Education, 1995). For
many of these individuals with disabilities, adult education requires substantial
modification of the typical approaches to assessment, instruction, and enrollees'
responses. These modifications are required to accommodate the learner's unique
needs.
The purpose of
this three year research and demonstration project was to provide adult educators
and adults with disabilities with validated accommodations useful in instruction
and assessment. These accommodations, along with information about their legal
rights and responsibilities, helped the individuals meet their educational needs
and successfully function in employment and community settings.
The research activities
included a careful description of then-current practices attempting to address
the needs of adults with disabilities through accommodations. This description
was obtained through (1) a national survey of adult education programs ,(2)
a state survey of enrollees with disabilities in adult education and their instructors
,and (3) a case study of one local program in an urban center with high unemployment
and multicultural diversity. These studies helped to identify the relationships
of accommodations to participant achievements and outcomes.
The field test was
conducted at ten sites in eight states and focused particularly on the adequacy
of the materials for culturally diverse populations educated in a variety of
settings. Thirty-two adult educators in the field test completed monthly logs
of product use and lengthy final evaluations. Information from the logs and
evaluations was used to revise the materials and increase their usefulness and
effectiveness. More information and description of field test procedures is
available in our "Project
Final Report."
The culmination
of the project was the development of the "Accommodating Adults with
Disabilities in Adult Education Programs" manual. The manual itself
was 262 pages contained in a three ring binder including: Overview, Implementation
Guide, AE Handbook,
Learner Handbook, Procedural Guide, TARGET Strategy, Compendium, and duplication
masters. Other related research reports
and support products were also developed as part of this project.
Tri-folds
for use in adult education centers are available in English and other
languages upon request or in PDF format
by clicking
here.
For more information or to obtain a copy of "Accommodating Adults with Disabilities
in Adult Education Programs," please write to the address above or email
pixie@ku.edu.
PLEASE NOTE:
"Accommodating Adults with Disabilities in Adult Education Programs" IS
NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON-LINE
CLICK
HERE to access all sections of the Notebook in PDF format
The University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning, Division of Adult
Studies is a not-for-profit organization.
© 2000-07 University of
Kansas Center for Research on Learning
Last updated: January 3, 2007
