Explore ways to incorporate natural supports for learning

Natural supports are non-accommodation-based strategies that are built into a course. They benefit all students. For example, study guides, discussion groups, and practice tests may benefit all students, not just students with disabilities.

More examples of natural supports that support all students:

• Creating electronic archives of lecture notes makes participation by students with visual disabilities, hearing impairments, sick children, or unreasonable bosses more fully possible.



• Instructions for important assignments can be included in the print syllabus, explained orally, and reinforced individually to ensure that all students’ strongest sensory mode is addressed.



• Key course concepts can be taught by lecture, discussion, reading, and group work, to accommodate a range of learning styles.



• Office hours can be held face-to-face, as is traditional, but also through e-mail, phone, or real time on-line chat.