Comparing audio-supported text and explicit instruction on students' knowledge of accommodations, rights, and responsibilities

Abstract

With increasing numbers of students with disabilities entering postsecondary education, it is important to teach students with disabilities their rights and responsibilities governed by civil rights acts (i.e., Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans With Disabilities Act) for requesting accommodations in postsecondary education. This study compared the effects of audio-supported text and explicit instruction on students' knowledge of their rights, responsibilities, and accommodations in postsecondary education. Participants included four high school seniors with mild disabilities from an urban school district. Using a simultaneous-treatments design with an initial baseline and final best treatment phase, results indicated explicit instruction produced higher scores compared to audio-supported text for all participants. Future research and implications for practice are discussed. © 2010 Hammill Institute on Disabilities.