Within this unit are four sample climate assessment surveys with specific measurement items. The items presented in these surveys are generic by design so they can be appropriate for most postsecondary institutions and audiences. Because the surveys are designed to serve as models and starting points only, the items within can be customized to suit the needs of your institution and assessment process. In addition, you and others conducting a climate assessment will want to include other measures to broaden and/or deepen the data in order to sufficiently address the research questions driving the process. Lastly, each of the four instruments can be self-scored by the respondents or by persons collecting data using a simple, stepwise scoring protocol to help interpret the results as a quick and general snapshot of climate.
Instrument #1: Attitudes
Number of items: 20
Time to administer: 5-10 minutes
Target audience: faculty, administrators, students, or support personnel
This instrument measures attitudes toward persons with disabilities in postsecondary education settings. It measures the extent persons with and without disabilities perceive persons with disabilities to be the same as or different from themselves in relation to academic and social factors on campus.
Easy Steps for Scoring & Interpretation
Instrument #2: Programmatic Supports
Number of items: 20
Time to administer: 5-10 minutes
Target audience: faculty, administrators, students, or support personnel This instrument measures perceptions of the programmatic supports and services provided to persons with disabilities in postsecondary education. It measures the extent persons with and without disabilities perceive the quality of access to, and provision of, disability-related services and supports on campus.
Easy Steps for Scoring & Interpretation
Instrument #3: Physical/Facilities Access
Number of items: 20
Time to administer: 5-10 minutes
Target audience: faculty, administrators, students, or support personnel This instrument measures perceptions of physical access to facilities for persons with and without disabilities in postsecondary education settings, including access to classroom buildings and other physical structures. It measures the extent persons with and without disabilities perceive the quality of access to, and the use of all available facilities, including physical maneuverability around campus.
Easy Steps for Scoring & Interpretation
Instrument #4: Instructional Access
Number of items: 20
Time to administer: 5-10 minutes
Target audience: faculty, administrators, students, or support personnel
This instrument measures perceptions of access to the teaching-learning process for persons with and without disabilities in postsecondary education settings. It measures the extent persons with and without disabilities perceive access to instruction across classroom environments.
