Teaching with Accessibility in Mind

Only students with disabilities benefit from the flexibility and choice offered by accessibility features. True or False?

• True

• False

Answer explanation

When we design with accessibility in mind, we benefit all learners.

As a designer of educational content, I have the power to create inclusive spaces. True or False?

• True

• False

When we consider the environment for an individual who is deaf or hard-of-hearing, it is important to consider all except

• whether your videos are closed captioned.

• lighting in the room

• seating configuration

• Whether or not you had 2 servings of vegetables with your lunch

Answer explanation

Students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing need to be able to see speakers' faces if they rely on reading lips. They need a clear view of interpreters. Rooms need to be well-lit without glare from windows.

All of these are true about accessibility except...

• all individuals can acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions and enjoy the same services

• It makes everyone feel included

• being able to use the things everyone else can use

• it's important to consider only if you have a student with an identified disability in your classroom

Answer explanation

The Office for Civil Rights at The US Department of Education defines accessibility as meaning "when a person with a disability is afforded the opportunity to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability, in an equally integrated, and equally effective manner with substantially equivalent ease of use".

The Universal Design for Learning Framework has established that barriers are in the

• individual

• environment

The three UDL principles are providing multiple means of

1. representation

2. action and expression

3. _______?

• procrastination

• disengagement

• engagement

• destruction

Answer explanation

True or False? Supporting vocabulary and activating background knowledge are examples of presenting multiple means of representation in the UDL framework.

• False

• True

Answer explanation

Providing multiple means of representation is one of the 3 principles of UDL. In addition to activating background knowledge and supporting vocabulary, an educator might highlight critical features of content and use graphics or animation.

The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights enforce equal access for individuals with disabilities and ensure school is accessible to parents and guardians of students. True or False?

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The Office of Civil Rights has launched compliance reviews examining digital accessibility in elementary and secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, state departments of education, libraries, and vocational rehabilitation services. Reviews cover online learning, public-facing websites, and parent-resource and communications platforms to ensure compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title 2 of the Ameraicans with Disabilities ACt.