Supporting Neurodiversity: A Partnership for Faculty Development Centering Universal Design for Learning (Practice Brief)

A collaboration between campus partners including the center for teaching and learning and a fee-based student learning support program set out to engage faculty in an educational campaign aimed at designing inclusive classrooms for neurodiverse students. The Neurodiversity Institute, a two-day interactive experience, provides faculty with tools to support neurodiverse students in the classroom, while cultivating sustained change beyond their participation in the Institute. Participants are tasked with developing deliverables aimed at self-reflection and growth, departmental engagement, and strategic planning for more systemic changes to practice. Findings indicated that faculty who engage with this program report a better understanding of key terms including accessibility, neurodiversity, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Moreover, the requirement that participants engage their department and plan strategically resulted in innovative approaches to serving neurodiverse students at the department level. This article discusses the goals of the program, findings from post-institute surveys, and recommendations for other institutions striving to change the culture and improve the educational experience for neurodiverse students.