Accessibility Studies

FAQs about Accessibility Studies Programs


The Accessibility Studies Program (ASP) provide opportunities to learn about challenges facing people with disabilities and other constraints--nearly a fifth of the population.
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

What does it mean on the job?

A certificate or minor in Accessibility Studies demonstrates competence in recognizing where, when, and how to include people with varying degrees of ability.

Why do you need it?

Laws, such as ADA (the Americans with Disabilities Act), Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, Chapter 51 of the Washington Administrative Code, guarantee access to activities of independent living in all environments - work, home, school, shopping, medical, leisure, and virtual.

How do you earn the certificate or minor?

The four core courses constitute the 17-credit certificate. An undergraduate minor is available by adding five (5) more credits which can usually be arranged as dual credit with a class in the major. The graduate certificate requires 2 credits of electives.

How are the courses delivered?

The core courses will be offered online for the convenience of working professionals and those living far from the main campus.

  • You can complete the certificate in one school year or in just two terms if you plan your courses strategically.
  • Also, the summer session offers all courses, making it possible to complete the entire certificate in a concentrated two months.

Who do we contact?

Naomi Jeffery Petersen, Professor, Accessibility Studies
Dept. of Curriculum, Supervision, & Educational Leadership

Naomi.Petersen@cwu.edu   

What are the courses?

I. Required Courses:

  • ASP 305/505 Accessibility & User Experience ………… 4 cr (offered every quarter)
  • ASP 425/525 Universal Design …………………………....… 5 cr (offered Fall, Winter and Summer)
  • ASP 435/535 Accessible Information Design ……………5 cr (offered Spring and Summer)
  • ASP 485/585 Accessibility Capstone ……………………....3 cr (Offered Spring and Summer)

These are core courses that complete the certificate.

II. Elective Courses: In addition to the certificate core, the undergraduate minor requires 5 elective credits; the graduate requires 2 elective credits.

  • ASP 41/510 Current Issues in Accessibility............................. 1 cr (offered every quarter. Can be repeated.)
  • ASP 420/520 Universal Design for Learning........................... 1 cr (offerered Summer in odd years)
  • ASP 430/530 Reasonable Accommodations........................... 1 cr (offered Summer in even years)
  • ASP 452/552 Media Representations of Disability ................ 5 cr (offered Winter and Summer)
  • ASP 475/575 Research Methods for Accessibility Studies … 1-12 (offered every quarter. Can be repeated.)
  • ASP 492 Accessibility Practicum ………………………………………… 1-12 (offered every quarter. Can be repeated.)

Who can take these courses? You can! You might not be a Central Washington University undergraduate or graduate student but you can still take courses as a non‐matriculated student.

How much does it cost? The cost of tuition can be found here. This depends on how many credits you are taking at a time. If you are a state employee, you might qualify for tuition reduction or waiver, but this may be restricted (for instance for summer or online courses).

What if I don't live in Washington State? Non-resident students qualify for a waiver in tuition because this is a completely online course of study. This will occur as a result of completing the registration form (contact the Registrar at REG@cwu.edu) but you can also contact Financial Aid (at SCHOLARSHIPS@cwu.edu) about this and other resources.

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