Appendix A: Questionnaire

This Topic Guide was used during the course of the primary research

(Interviews with staff members in Trinity College Dublin on Universal Design (UD) teaching at Trinity College Dublin)

Background

  • Reason for doing the study
  • Sponsor of the study
  • Confidentiality

Respondent Profile

  • Role and responsibilities
  • How long in current position
  • Length of time in teaching

Understanding of UD

  • What do you understand by UD?
    • What does it include/what not?
    • How is it the same/different from Inclusive
      Design?
    • How important is UD? Why do you say this?
    • Who is it important to? Why?
  • Agree common definition / understanding of UD

Introduction of UD to Curricula

  • Why did you decide to include UD in curricula?
    • When did this happen?
    • Who had a main influence in the decision?
    • What were the key motivations?
  • How easy/difficult was the introduction of UD in the
    curricula?
    • What were the barriers/obstacles? How were they
      overcome?
    • What were the key selling points? Why was it easy to
      introduce UD?
    • What was the initial level of interest/take up by
      students?
      • How was UD sold to them?
      • Could students easily see the benefits? Which? &
        Why?
    • Exactly what process was involved in introducing UD in
      the curricula?
      • Is this process unique to faculty/TCD?

Current UD Teaching

  • In which courses/modules is UD taught?
    • Why?
    • What are the benefits/gains?
    • Who made that decision?
  • How much time is allocated to UD?
    • Has this changed since the introduction of UD?
      Why?
  • Exactly what's the content?
    • Unprompted response, then probe with list
    • Again, has the content ever been changed?
      Why?
  • What teaching methods are being used?
    • Why?
    • What works well, what not so well?
    • Have the teaching methods ever been changed?
      Why?
  • How are students assessed?
    • How important is re their overall result?

Future UD Teaching

  • Is there any scope to expand UD teaching?
    • Same course/module?
    • Different courses/modules?
    • Are there currently any gaps in UD teaching?
  • What would be the value/benefit of further UD
    teaching?
    • To students
    • Lecturers
    • TCD
    • Industry
    • Consumers?
  • Is this something you have considered already?
    • Can you make any suggestions/recommendations of how to
      increase the level of UD teaching in TCD/Ireland?
  • What might encourage further UD teaching?
  • What do you see as the main barriers to more UD
    teaching?
  • Are there any other up and coming areas in design that
    will increase in importance over the next few years? Which and why?
  • How can it be ensured that UD remains important?
    • Who needs to push UD so that that it is/remains on the
      agenda? Why do you say this?

Final Comments

  • Is there anything else you would like to add?
  • Is there anything else about UD and the teaching of UD
    (here in TCD) that we have not covered and would be useful for me to
    understand?
  • Is there anyone else you think I should talk to as part
    of this survey? Who & why?

Thank You & Close