Diversity and Inclusion Initiative Grants: Inclusive and Accessible Course Design

​​​​​​​​​Overview

The Associate Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (AP-DEI), in conjunction with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the University Library, seeks applicants for the Diversity and Inclusion Initiative Grant at DePaul (DIIG@DePaul) Program. The overall goal of this funding opportunity is to leverage the talents, passion, wisdom, and expertise of our diverse faculty to help DePaul University become the most welcoming and inclusive campus environment it can be.

During the 2023-24 academic year, the DIIG@DePaul will solely focus on assisting faculty to better serve students' learning needs by 1) the adoption of a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach that shifts the focus from accommodation to accessibility by removing impediments to learning for all students, and 2) diversifying the curriculum. The number of grants is limited, and recipients will be selected based on their articulation of a clear plan to revise or develop a course that incorporates UDL practices, includes diverse perspectives or course materials from diverse scholars, and a recommendation from their chair or program director.  The selection committee will include the AP-DEI and representatives from CTL and the University Library.

Grant recipients will receive resources and training from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) on applying UDL principles and practices in course design, and support and consultation from a University Library librarian to access and adopt course materials that will diversify course content. 

Purpose

The primary purpose of the DIIG@DePaul is to encourage faculty to develop and implement initiatives that can help DePaul University realize in tangible ways its mission, which in part reads:

​Guided by an ethic of Vincentian personalism and professionalism, DePaul compassionately upholds the dignity of all members of its diverse, multi-faith, and inclusive community. Through education and research, the university addresses the great questions of our day, promoting peaceful, just, and equitable solutions to social and environmental challenges.

Learning Outcomes

​By the end of this program, faculty will be able to:

• Enhance the diversity and inclusivity, and reduce the cost of required course material through the adoption of 1) scholarship from diverse scholars and from diverse perspectives as it relates to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, disability (mental or physical), genetic information, national origin, race or ethnicity, religion or creed, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), and veteran status; and 2) open- source resources.
• Evaluate the accessibility and usability of course and instructional strategies and identify potential barriers and solutions for diverse learners.
• Apply UDL strategies and practices to their courses.
  

Eligibility 

​All full- and part-time faculty are eligible for this program.

​Applicants should seek to adopt course material that is written and published by scholars from diverse identities and/or that provides diverse perspectives and that adopts UDL principles and practices related to the three basic components of UDL:

•  Multiple means of representation
• Allowing students to access information in various formats.
• Visual aids, audio recordings, and open educational resources available to the public.
• Diversifying the course material
• Whose voice is heard? What perspective dominates? What is omitted?
• Multiple means of engagement
• Fostering student motivation and active participation in the learning process.
•  Discussions, individual projects, collaborative tools, assignments, etc.
• Multiple means of expression
•  Allowing students to demonstrate their learning through diverse means.
• Creating presentations, writing essays, and creating multimedia projects, i.e., videos and podcasts. 

How much time will it take to complete the course?

The time commitment and meeting requirements are as follows:

• Participants should expect to invest 15-20 hours total over a period of three weeks.
• The training includes one two-hour required in-person meeting.
• Each week, participants should expect to dedicate at least four hours to completing online readings and activities. 

What are the participation and assignment requirements?

To receive credit and compensation for the course, participants must:

• Attend the in-person meeting.
• Complete D2L quizzes, submissions, and discussions.
  
• Complete all assignments, including developing or revising a syllabus that incorporates inclusive design principles.
  

What will participants receive? 

The DIIG@DePaul Inclusive and Accessible Course Design program will provide support of up to $500 per participant: $300 as an incentive to attend and implement the training and $200 for course material that diversifies course content. 

Application

Apply for Spring 2024 Cohort

The application will open on Friday, February 2, 2024, and close on Friday, March 1st, 2024. 

Course Schedule and Modality

The three-week course will begin on April 15th, 2024 (see schedule below). Participants will be guided through online assignments from April 15 - May 6, 2024, including one in-person session in Lincoln Park on April 19, 2024.