Discover how the Offices of Educational Equity, Student Accommodations, and Accessibility and Usability collaborate to empower online students through inclusive support, accessibility, and advocacy. Join us to explore practical strategies for creating a sense of belonging and success in the virtual learning environment.

In the evolving landscape of higher education, creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students is more crucial than ever. This workshop, "Opening Doors of Belonging: Cross-Departmental Collaboration to Empower Online Students with Comprehensive Support," will explore the innovative and collaborative efforts of three essential departments: The Office of Educational Equity, Student Accommodations Office, and Accessibility and Usability. By working together, these departments aim to ensure that non-traditional online college students not only succeed academically but also feel a profound sense of belonging and community. The Office of Educational Equity is dedicated to promoting co-curricular learning and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives that serve students, faculty, staff, and the community. This department focuses on creating programs and opportunities that foster an inclusive campus culture. In the context of online education, Educational Equity plays a pivotal role in ensuring that DEI initiatives extend beyond physical campus boundaries, reaching every student regardless of their geographical location. By facilitating workshops, webinars, and online forums, Educational Equity helps online students engage with and contribute to the university's broader DEI efforts. The Student Accommodation Office (SAO) is committed to supporting students in need of accommodation, ensuring that all students have equitable access to educational opportunities. This department works closely with students to identify their unique needs and implement appropriate accommodations, such as extended time on exams, note-taking assistance, and accessible course materials. For online students, SAO provides tailored support that considers the unique challenges of remote learning, such as ensuring that virtual classrooms and online resources are accessible and accommodating. Accessibility and Usability focuses on providing resources and support for students with disabilities. This includes services such as captions for hearing-impaired students, testing for screen reader compatibility for visually impaired students, and thorough reviews of course materials for accessibility compliance. Accessibility and Usability works proactively to ensure that all digital content and online platforms used by the university are accessible to every student. By doing so, they help to remove barriers that might otherwise hinder academic success and sense of belonging for students with disabilities. During this workshop, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these three departments collaborate to create a cohesive support system for online students. Key topics will include: Coordinated Efforts for Student Support: o How Educational Equity, Student Accommodation Office, and Accessibility and Usability communicate and collaborate to address the diverse needs of online students. o Case studies demonstrating successful cross-departmental initiatives. Creating Inclusive Online Learning Environments: o Strategies for ensuring online course materials and virtual classrooms are accessible to all students. o The role of technology in supporting students with disabilities and promoting a sense of belonging. Advocacy and Empowerment: o Encouraging self-advocacy among online students with disabilities. o Promoting awareness and understanding of DEI issues within the online student community. Practical Applications and Tools: o Tools and resources provided by Accessibility and Usability, such as screen readers and captioning services. o Best practices for faculty and staff to create inclusive and accessible online content. By the end of this workshop, participants will be equipped with practical knowledge and tools to support online students effectively. They will understand the importance of cross-departmental collaboration and be inspired to implement strategies that promote inclusivity, accessibility, and a strong sense of belonging among non-traditional online college students. Join us in opening the doors of belonging and making a lasting impact on the educational experiences of all students.