Need

There is a need to improve the quality of education for individuals with diverse life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2017).

The achievement gap in educational outcomes based on race, disability, and socioeconomic status continues to widen (Sanderson et al., 2021).

For students with disabilities and those with other diverse learning needs, educational barriers are numerous (Basham et al., 2020).

There are challenges related to educators’ understanding of and attitudes about disabilities and issues surrounding accessibility of teaching practices (Marquis et al., 2016).

Hidden classroom curriculum can impact learning outcomes for students who do not have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to navigate the higher education system (Scherer, 2022).

There is a call to action to “create academic environments where diverse faculty, staff, and students can flourish” (National League for Nursing, 2016, p. 8). 

To maximize learning opportunities for nursing students, an equitable, accessible and inclusive learning environment is critical to the multifaceted course design process.