All courses are online with interactive synchronous meetings. Nearly all courses are offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Although the knowledge base is shared, graduate level work includes greater depth and breadth of reading and performance. The course descriptions below can also be found in the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs, which include the course outcomes.

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Required Courses

The following four courses are required for all Accessibility & Disability Studies programs.

• Quality of life issues of accessibility in everyday experiences and environments. Changes in laws and attitudes about the need for proactive accessible design. Current careers requiring competence in troubleshooting accessibility. Theories and models of disability. (Undergraduate ASP 305 can be used to satisfy General Education Knowledge Area 6)
• Credits: 4
• Prerequisite: CWU student status.
• Frequency: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.

• Apply universal design principles and ADA standards to analyze barriers to accessibility and propose practical design solutions for full participation of persons of all abilities in a variety of everyday environments.
• Credits: 5
• Prerequisite: Program application or permission of the instructor.
• Frequency: Summer, Fall. 

• Standards for public communication, such as advertising and agency information. Effective Job coaching. Issues of disclosure and advocacy. Research and theories of accessible information.
• Credits: 5
• Pre/co-requisite: ASP 505, or permission of instructor.
• Frequency: Winter, Summer.

• Accessibility competence demonstrated in portfolio and capstone project. Strategies for engaging stakeholders in trouble-shooting accommodations. View examples of capstone projects.
• Credits: 3
• Prerequisites: ASP 505, 525, 535. Requires permission.
• Frequency: Spring, Summer.

Elective Courses

Every Accessibility & Disability Studies program requires some elective credits, such as the following. These courses may be taken independently without admission to a program.

• First Year Experience, including orientation to being a successful student with library and study skills. Elective.
• * Satisfies General Education First Year Experience. [Only available for undergraduate students with General Education requirements.]
• Credits: 4
• Prerequisites: None.
• Frequency: Fall, Spring.

• Seminar on current issues of disability and accessibility.
• Credits: 1
• Elective.
• Prerequisites: None.
• Frequency: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer. May be repeated.

• Classroom strategies to increase accessibility for all students, requiring less accommodation.
• Credits: 4
• Elective.
• Frequency: Summer.

• How does disability and accessibility intersect with other marginalized identities? This is an interdisciplinary discussion of structural inequality and cultural competence, with critical analysis of opportunities for advocacy, including legislation, bio-medical decisions, technology and design.
• Credits: 4
• Elective.
• Frequency: Winter in odd years.

• Analyze the representation of personal ability and appearance in various media and its influence on identity, culture, and careers. (This course is cross-listed with Communication).
• Credits: 4
• Elective.
• Frequency: Winter in even years.

• An opportunity to conduct an undergraduate research project in accessibility. The course includes an overview of research methods including Human Subjects Review Council protocols, library database searches, literature reviews, APA style, proposals, and critical thinking. Often used to work on extended Capstone projects for multiple quarters.
• Credits: Variable (2-7)
• Elective.
• Prerequisites: requires permission from program director.
• Frequency: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer. May be repeated.

• Experience in a real-world context to observe, analyze and investigate principles and issues crucial to developing competence in understanding efforts to minimize barriers for all people, especially those with specific limitations in their perception or mobility. Fingerprinting may be required. (Requires permission from program director.)
• Credits: Variable (2-12)
• Elective.
• Frequency: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer. May be repeated.

Undergraduate ADI Graduation Requirement

As of Fall 2024, all undergraduate students must complete an approved course in Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion. The following course satisfies this requirement and can also serve as an elective for the minor.

• How does disability and accessibility intersect with other marginalized identities? This is an interdisciplinary discussion of structural inequality and cultural competence, with critical analysis of opportunities for advocacy, including legislation, bio-medical decisions, technology and design.
• Credits: 4
• Elective.
• Frequency: Winter in odd years.