EDSPX505.LLIL - Literacy for Low Incidence Learners: Effective Instruction to Engaging Student Activities

Course Description

Number of Credits: 1

According to the National Reading Panel, traditional literacy instruction involves phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Some of these components require adaptation and support for learners with disabilities; however, for learners with additional disabilities such as low vision/blindness, hard of hearing/deafness, and deafblindness, these literacy components take on a whole new meaning. Engaging students with sensory disabilities in literacy learning requires collaboration and mindful planning to implement individualized learning opportunities based on quality assessment. This series will address literacy acquisition for students with disabilities with additional consideration for those with sensory disabilities.

Important Summer 2026 Dates:

• Enrollment opens April 24, 2026 and closes June 5, 2026.
• The canvas course begins May 4, 2026.
• The course quiz and final assignment are due June 30, 2026.
• Grades will be posted by July 26, 2026.

Instructor Information

Janice Carson

Phone - (208)-885-6104
Email - janicec@uidaho.edu

Jessi Rohrbacher

Phone - (208) 364-4682
Email - jrohrbacher@uidaho.edu

Course Objectives:

Participants will gain knowledge and skills to:

1. Consider various assessment tools and techniques to develop literacy support for students with disabilities, including sensory.
2. Design, develop, or adapt literacy instructional materials for students with disabilities, including sensory.
3. Design and develop literacy activities for students with disabilities, including sensory, to show that they learned the content.

Session Titles and Descriptions:

Session One: Literacy for Students with low vision/blindness

This session will address literacy acquisition specifically for students with a visual impairment, both with and without additional disabilities.

Session Two: Literacy for Students who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing

This presentation will review assessment considerations and intervention opportunities for supporting DHH children across age and communication modalities.

Session Three: Literacy for Students with Deafblindness. 

This session focused on literacy instruction for learners who experience deafblindness, will begin with a brief discussion to clarify “deafblindness (DB)” as a unique disability.

Required Materials

There are no outside readings or materials required for this course. Handouts are all provided in the Canvas course.

Course Requirements

1. Participation: Participants are required to log into the course and proceed stepwise through the material to complete all course content.
2. Quizzes: All quizzes must be completed. Students must earn an 80% or better on quizzes to pass the course. Quizzes can be retaken until passed. 
3. Survey: Participants are required to complete a satisfaction survey at the end of the course.
4. Final assignment (100 points): Complete the “Case Study with Lesson Plan” assignment:  Apply the information covered in the three-webinar series to a specific child or youth. For family members, you may choose your child; educators may choose a student in class, on their caseload, or make one up.

Grading

This is a Pass/Fail course. Late work will not be accepted.

• Participants must earn an 80% or better on the final quiz to pass the course. Quizzes can be retaken until passed.
• Participants must earn an 80% or better on the final written assignment to pass the course.
• Participants must complete the online course satisfaction survey.