A new research study is currently recruiting faculty members and teaching assistants at universities to test a short online training program on autism and universal design. The goal of the study is to improve university staff’s knowledge and attitudes towards autism and teach those staff members principles of universal design (i.e., making higher education environments accessible to all people, regardless of age, size, ability or disability).

This project was developed in partnership with Frist Center Associate Director Dave Caudel and 17 other collaborators at various institutions. The training has been created using participatory methods, with autistic people involved in all aspects of its development and the research.

Volunteers will complete pre & post questionnaires, an online training portion, and a maintenance questionnaire 1 month later. The total time commitment is about 2–3 hours (self-paced), spread over a month, and compensation is $50 USD. Participants will also receive a certificate of completion and a number of supplementary tools and resources that can be utilized immediately in syllabus design, classrooms, and online teaching. Additional information can be found on the study website at www.autismresearch.international.

Responses

• Lori Allen
  

  October 27th, 2020

  My name is Dr. Lori Allen. I am the Associate Dean and an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Austin Peay State University. I am very interested in participation in this study. Thank you for your consideration.

  Lori