Wow…digital accessibility…I have to be honest…this is something that I never gave a thought to…
As an aware and informed educator, I work diligently each day to create a safe, welcoming and of course accessible environment for all of my students, as well as my special needs students, whether it be creating an engaging lesson that allows for my students to learn according to their diverse learning styles, or simply modifying a lesson to include a child that has an auditory processing disorder or has a reading disability. We as teachers use a myriad of devices and technology to assist in learning throughout our day.
For example:
- an FM system to give a child the opportunity to hear your voice without background noise
- multi-sensory strategies through the use of your smart board, computers, or touch as you engage the children through the use of manipulatives or hands on lessons
- touch screen ipads for the children that can not verbally indicate their responses
- hearing aids, visual aids, and specialized computer software that assists with vision or communication delays
- even down to pencil grips to assist the children that have OT related issues
We all use these right?
My point is that there are endless opportunities to allow a teacher to use assistive devices to bridge the gap of a student’s disability and level the playing field in the classroom.
But on the web?? It’s never even crossed my mind!
Today’s Blog…..
Today’s blog will focus on how to incorporate web accessibility which is an engaging forum that I’ve never explored!
Links, Links, and MORE LINKS….
Before we get started I found some great sites that explain some of the basic simple tools and resources out there to allow accessibility for everyone in schools today.
Check out the links provided below:
Screen Readers for the Visually Impaired or Blind.
Microsoft Accessibility Tools Used in Schools
Apple Accessibility Features for Ipad
Human Interface Guidelines for Accessibility
The Social Model of Disability Online
As I read Taking the Social Model of Disability Online it is obvious to me that the world is ever changing and there is a need make the technological world accessible and available to all learners.
There are several adaptions being made such as for Christopher Hills where “the adaptation of a head switch and text-to-speech software means he can use social media to find a way to use his iPhone to open his front door” There are many tweets and sites where it lends itself to demanding that accessibility is a “fundamental human right”.
For example, even something simple that we do everyday (or at least I do) 😉 ….
Online Shopping!!
This requires changes in websites so that these sites are easily navigated with keyboards and other assistive technology so everyone can enjoy the same simple pleasures in life!
Next on the Agenda…..GAMING!
http://giphy.com/search/games/2?sort=relevant
Another area that I think the general public takes for granted is gaming. My son, who is on the spectrum, has challenges accessing games and uses some that are not user friendly for children with disabilities. “Designing games that deliberately exclude disabled people is bad business, with many older people, who don’t identify as disabled, also finding their designs difficult to access and play. Again, this demonstrates that the social model of disability is ignored for the online world – a park or a stadium or even a movie theatre would all have accessible features, so why aren’t games required to make the small improvements that would allow everyone to play? Is it because they just don’t think it’s of value, or because developers aren’t taught about accessibility from the start of their training?”
I whole-heartedly agree with this article. This is something near and dear to my heart and should be at the fore-front of designers’ minds as they incorporate accessibility for all. It is important to promote a culture of inclusion as our society changes.
Here is a video of how Xbox made the packing for their Adaptive Controller accessible for everyone:
WHY ACCESSIBILITY? WHY NOW???
Why now? Think about this…
David Berman spoke on Website Accessibility and drives home some great points about how many millions of people that this affects world wide. Now is the time for this…
“With over 7 billion people, there are about 1 million with substantial disabilities”
Berman establishes the idea that 10 years ago we would think it was crazy that recycling bins and a push to “go green” would be relevant in today’s world. This is simply another compelling point that we as a world need to continue to grow and keep ahead of web accessibility.
It is our duty to provide at least a minimal level of accessibility to make sure that we are leaving no one behind as technology advances in the 21st century.
What’s the Greatest Gift You Ever Received?
The second video establishes where Elise explains that “losing hearing was one of the greatest gifts that I ever received” really puts life into perspective.
Taking this comment and spinning it in another direction, people don’t appreciate the gifts that they have in this world. I think we can all learn from Elise in that we need to take a moment every day to experience life to the fullest and not rush through our lives with busy schedules and not really taking the time to stop and “smell the roses”.
Elise experiences the world in a unique way and I believe, even in my own experience, we as a society tend to not take a moment for ourselves and our family and to just slow down….
Take a moment and let that sink in…
Looking forward to next time! Cheers! Laura
Hertz' Heart-to-Heart Tech Talk 
Great post and thank you for sharing the perspective of your son and some of the challenges that he faces with digital games. Education is so important in making a widespread change in favor of accessibility.
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