Incorporating Accommodations into Lesson Design

We typically think of accommodations as special changes that are made to meet the needs of an individual student with a specific disability. In reality, accommodations can be incorporated into the design of a lesson and provided as part of an effective instructional strategy. In this way, the needs of the individual student are met and the entire class benefits.

Instructional methods and materials

• Use a video to accompany a mini-lecture.
• Provide a note-taking guide for use during a lecture.
• Demonstrate expected student work on a transparency in addition to describing it.

Assignments and assessments

• Have students use graphic organizers or diagrams rather than write notes of what they see.
• Provide practice worksheets that let students have a preview of how assessments will be conducted.
• Provide additional practice opportunities.
• Structure student responses by providing clues on worksheets.
• Use performance assessments rather than exclusively paper-and-pencil testing.
• Provide individual feedback when criteria are not met.

Time demands and schedule

• Allow students as much time and practice as needed to gather information or practice.

Learning environment

• Take students out of the classroom to observe in addition to hearing about information.
• Let students work in pairs or groups rather than individually.

Special communication systems

• Incorporating this type of accommodation into lessons will be handled on an individual basis. For an individual student, a communication board could be programmed with the vocabulary used in the “Plant Structure” lesson.

Methods & Materials | Assignments & Assessments | Learning Environment
Time & Schedule | Communications Systems
Assistive Technology