Necessity is the mother of invention: Accessibility pre, inter, & post pandemic

Abstract

At a time when many writing studies faculty are both rising to and collapsing under the challenges of teaching during a pandemic, this article argues that our field is at a decisive moment concerning accessibility. Using mixed-methods data from eight first-year composition courses, this research analyzes and articulates how some students discern the accessibility of instructional materials through the framework of Universal Design (UD). The visibility of such student perceptions must be increased and shared widely, as we seek to be more inclusive and reflective professionals. As we look to a future of post-pandemic tech-mediated teaching and learning, this article also demonstrates how one might replicate, refine, and apply similar study designs which can ultimately help us to be more attentive to inclusivity in the initial stage of course development and research.