Inclusive teaching and learning

Inclusive teaching and learning is an approach that recognises and values the diversity of students and works with them to optimise the learning experience for all.

Arranging support based on students' needs

Find out how you can support students with specific conditions and difficulties in different situations. For example, when they have classes, lectures or seminars, or when they go on field trips.

  • Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder – ADHD
  • Autism
  • Sight loss or those who are blind
  • Hearing loss or those who are d/Deaf
  • Unseen disabilities and long-term health conditions
  • Mental health conditions
  • Mobility and physical impairments
  • Specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia and dyspraxia)

General advice about inclusive teaching

Read our advice below and follow guidance in the Code of Practice: Access and Inclusion for Disabled Students.

Lectures, classes and seminars

  • Provide an overview of the course structure with links to topics studied. 
  • Explain course outcomes clearly. 
  • Provide handouts in an electronic format and in advance. 
  • Use strong contrast on whiteboards, avoid red, green and pastel highlighting. 
  • Where possible, share recordings made by the department or provide alternatives.
  • If a student has signed the ‘Agreement for the Recording of Lectures’ allow them to record the lecture.

Get more information about online lectures, classes and seminars and how to create accessible teaching materials.

Supervisions

  • Explain what's expected and how supervisions work.
  • Allow students plenty of time to answer questions.
  • Use plain English and avoid multiple parts to questions.
  • Discuss the question with the student, to make sure they understand it.
  • Offer to write questions down as well as say them.
  • Let the students know when they've answered the question sufficiently.
  • Say when another person is due to speak. 

If the supervision is online:

  • Use a plain background and wear plain clothes if possible.
  • Ensure you're in a quiet room, as hearing aids can pick up background noise.
  • Test your audio to make sure students can hear you clearly.
  • Make sure students can see your face clearly, in case they need to lip read.
  • Mention any accessibility features you'll be using in Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

Get more information about online supervisions with disabled students and check how to make them more accessible on Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

Practicals, field trips and study abroad

  • Be aware that students are entitled to the same level of adjustment and support wherever they are.
  • Ensure student can access human support if they need to. They may need more assistance in an unfamiliar environment.
  • Organise support in advance through the ADRC.
  • Avoid asking other students to assist the disabled student.
  • Provide verbal instructions in a written format.

Written work and essays

  • Discuss the title with the student to avoid any confusion.

  • Use model answers to show what you expect from the written work or essay.

Feedback

  • Provide feedback in a written format.

  • Include positive points as well as a grade. Adding a grade is most useful as this is a benchmark which is clear to students.
  • Avoid marking in red and green as colour blind users may not be able to tell them apart.