Exploring Behavior to Increase Accessibility in Visual Art Classrooms

Accessibility requires an individualized approach. It means that we are proactive in removing barriers so that all students can engage equally. In arts classrooms there are different types of barriers than in academic classrooms. In this workshop, I was introduced to the ABC’s of Behavior and how it can help account for the unique environmental variables, classroom behavior systems, and curriculum and instruction occurring in arts classrooms. I was introduced to strategies, resources, and a process so that I can develop multi-tiered systems of support that integrate prevention, teaching, and reinforcement strategies that align to UDL guidelines and increase accessibility for all.

Presenter:

Dr. Helene Robinson has been an educator and advocate of accessibility and inclusion all her life. First as a public-school teacher in Miami Dade County Public Schools and Indian River Public Schools and then at other universities before joining USF Sarasota Manatee campus in 2013. Dr. Robinson is the Director for Critical & Creative Design Thinking, an Associate Professor of Instruction in the College of Education, the Arts Integration Coordinator, and an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Women & Gender Studies. Her work focuses on creating inclusive environments using multi-tiered systems of support, arts integration, UDL guidelines, self-regulation strategies, critical thinking, creativity, and design thinking to remove barriers to learning so that all diverse learners can thrive, with an emphasis on learners who experience disability. In all her work, she emphasizes the intersectionality of cultural identities and builds a posture of cultural reciprocity to empathize with the needs and values of others to design effective solutions. She was awarded the 2023 USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy award for her work to combat ableism and increase accessibility for women breast cancer survivors. She has conducted numerous professional development workshops, created innovative undergraduate and interdisciplinary graduate degree programs, presented at many international and national conferences, and led and collaborated on multiple grants.