Professional Development

Strategies and instructional approaches that are designed for adults who have disabilities benefit ALL adult learners. Learn more about how you can incorporate some of these approaches into your instruction through free professional development and training.

VALRC Professional Development

Check out our Events Calendar for updates on scheduling!

Stay tuned for offerings around Trauama-informed Practice! These can count toward the Disabilities professional development 10-hour requirement. 

• {Dis}abilities and the Adult Learner Online Course: This 6-week course will help you discover the keys to strengthening your work with adults who have {dis}abilities. Through multimedia presentations, interactive project assignments, and discussions with your peers and an experienced facilitator, you will: a) learn how to plan and adapt appropriate instruction for adults with both learning and other physical {dis}abilities; b) identify and begin to collaborate with local organizations and state agencies that offer supportive services and resources for adults with {dis}abilities; and c) experience different {dis}abilities through simulation activities. Each week’s lesson addresses a topic in adult education pertaining to learning {dis}abilities. Course activities include readings, assignments, and discussions.
• Five Components of Accessibility: In this self-paced tutorial you will learn about the five main components of accessibility. These components include: color-contrast, hyperlinks, alt-text, tables, and headings.

• {Dis}abilities and the Adult Learner Webinar Series: This three part webinar series includes the following topics: a) working with adults with {dis}abilities; b) instructional strategies for working with adults with {dis}abilities; and c) making content accessible. Program leadership can request this webinar series or the individual sessions using this form.

1. 1. Session 1: Introduction to working with adult learners who have disabilities (watch recording)  It is important to keep in mind that learning disabilities are life-long. Children with disabilities grow-up to be adults with disabilities. Additionally, many adult learners go undiagnosed. Learning disabilities affect the ability to understand or use spoken or written language, do mathematical calculations, coordinate movements, or direct attention. This session focuses on how adult educators can help their learners by better understanding the different characteristics of learning disabilities, implementing universal designing for learning (UDL), and utilizing partnerships.
   2. Session 2: Instructional strategies for working with adults with disabilities (watch recording)  Disabilities can occur across the lifespan, affecting academic performance, work, and daily living. Individuals with disabilities can have challenges with learning but can exhibit strengths in some areas. This session will provide instructional strategies for working with adults with disabilities, with a focus on incorporating evidence-based strategies into reading instruction.
   3. Session 3: Making Content Accessible  Creating accessible content can feel overwhelming at times, but it is important to remember that not everything has to be done at once. A scaffolded approach to learning and implementation can make the process more manageable. Even a few key changes can make a difference. In the beginning, the aim is not perfection, but improvement. This session covers some of the main accessibility barriers such as headers, images, and hyperlinks.

• Learning {Dis}abilities and Universal Design for Learning (Program leadership can request this training using this form.): This session provides an overview of learning {dis}abilities and universal design for learning. During the session, we will discuss strategies to use in the classroom.

Other Professional Development Providers

The offerings below come from outside the VALRC. Please consult the registration page for contact information and additional information about these offerings.

• LINCS, New Self-Paced Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Learning Modules for Adult Education Instructors and Administrators The goal of these seven modules is to help address barriers in adult education professional development, providing a more accessible resource that models Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and helps adult educators better meet the needs of diverse learners. Each of the seven modules is expected to take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete, and you will need a free LINCS account to access the modules.
• COABE: Recognizing and Responding to Dyslexia in Adults: Most adults with dyslexia don’t even know they have it. During this webinar, the presenter will provide attendees with information about dyslexia and share a simple screening instrument to identify characteristics of dyslexia in adults. She will provide research-based reading instruction methods and additional resources that are highly effective for adult learners with dyslexia.
• Windmills 2024: Windmills is a disability awareness training that uses participation and discovery as learning vehicles to understand the culture of disability in the workplace by helping to change attitudinal barriers & creating new perspectives on the unique abilities of individuals. Click on the link to the flyer ( Windmills 2024) to learn more about each session and to register for each webinar. Register HERE for all winter/spring sessions. 
• VDOE, Dyslexia Training: The Virginia Department if Education has developed a free online Dyslexia Awareness Training Module. This training will provide awareness on the definition, indicators, evidence-based interventions, and accommodations for dyslexia.
• Workforce GPS: Effective Communication and Access for Job Seekers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: This webinar is a presentation of the best practices, resources and technology available at the American Job Centers for job seekers who are deaf or hard of hearing. REGISTER HERE.
  • Visit WorkforceGPS for other self-paced professional development opportunities including their Disability and Employment eLearning Modules. 
• edWebinars: Search this site for curated webinars and online professional learning communities on a range of topics related to education. Use the magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner to find options for working with adult learners who have disabilities.

For more information about current VALRC offerings, visit our Events page. To request a training that is not currently scheduled, email [email protected].

For more resources related to working with adults with {dis}abilites, please search the VALRC Resources Collection.

If you have a resource you would like to share related to the topic of working with adults with {dis}abilities, please share them here!