What is Accessibility….
Accessibility allows students to have the same access to educational experiences, information, services regardless if a student has a disability or not.
Equality Image: This shows a basic traditional classroom layout learners do not have equitable access. Everyone is treated “the Same”. Even though they are being treated the same, it isn’t fair.
Accommodation Image: This Shows learners each have access but those with disabilities are given an “accommodation” so they have equitable access to education.
Accessibility Image: The learning environment is designed for a diverse group of learners; the chalkboard was lowered and given extra height to allow all learners the same access.
Universal Design For Learning (UDL)……..
What is UDL? UDL stands for Universal Design For Learning. This is an approach in instructions that is inclusive to all learners. It eliminates barriers and provides students many ways to engage with the curriculum and for students to show what they know.
Below is an image of the 3 areas UDL (Universal Design Learning) focuses on.
So why is it important? In the past, curriculum has been designed to fit “most” students and then label others who did not” fit” that learning method as “struggling students” “disabled” etc. Following the guidelines of the UDL (Universal Design Learning) when planning a lesson allows all students to have a positive learning experience, succeed and to have equal accessibility to the classroom activities/lesson.
This poster illustrates comparing teachers and doctors and how to use UDL to help students.
My Strengths…..
In my art room/classes I see a wide range of abilities at all grade levels. When planning my lessons, I try to follow the UDL guidelines so that I can plan to meet all my students' needs. By using this thought process I hope to be able to not single out a student who needs a different approach without making them feel different. I use a variety of ways to present the material and provide a few different options of how to complete a task so that all my artists are able to participate and have similar artistic experiences. Some things I do in my art room to provide accessibility for all learners.
Provide multiple ways to do 1 step/task. Example) draw a circle- allow some students to draw it by hand but also provide stencils/tracers and compasses.
Present content visually, show videos with subtitles, use songs and read aloud books.
Connect vocabulary with visual images, songs and or hand motions.
Provide tools to students who need extra assistance- a grip to hold a paintbrush, thick/larger pencils etc.
Use sign language for art vocabulary. Ex) Signing the word paint.
Areas of Growth…..
While I might feel I do a pretty good job at providing my students accessibility and lessons that allow them all to be proud of their art and enjoy the artistic process, I know that there are areas that I grow in.
I know that myself and my fellow art colleagues feel that we need more training and experience with new techniques and tools that can help teach our students who have limited fine motor skills. I feel that some of my lessons become a bit repetitive for some of my special ed sections. . This week I learned a lot of different ways to incorporate accessibility. I would love to continue to learn and grow in learning about more technology resources that can be used to add more accessibility for my students.
Google Tools….
One of the tools I dove into this week as I explored accessibility and UDL was google tools for special needs students. This topic intrigued me because my district is 1:1 and all students have chromebooks. Also both schools I teach at I have self contained special ed classes at variety of levels. Below is an infographic of google tools students can access.
Image Source: Blogger Author, created in Adobe Photoshop
Cited Sources:
Brookes Blog (2021, July, 22) Fair Is Not Always Equal (FREE inclusion poster!) Retrieved on Oc. 6 2022 from https://blog.brookespublishing.com/fair-is-not-always-equal-free-inclusion-poster/
CAST (2022, Feb. 08) About Universal Design for Learning Retrieved on Oct. 6, 2022 from https://www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl
Forward with FLEXibility (2017, May 9) What is Accessible Education? Retrieved on Oct. 6, 2022 from https://pressbooks.pub/flexforward/chapter/accessible-education/
Google Docs Google Tools for Special Needs Retrieved on Oct. 6, 2022 from https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J2Lve_Ta8t22UDFvAlG5mW8WLxXP0BIMwabWJk7FhI8/edit
Hi Kirsten,
ReplyDeleteWhen you mentioned how you incorporate UDL in your classroom, it really inspired me to see how I could integrate Sign Language into my lessons to teach vocabulary. I also think some students might find it beneficial to associate a sign with a word because it involves a kinesthetic movement.
I also never heard of Simple Blocker! I think it could be a great tool in my classroom since my students also used Chromebooks. I wonder how it would work in a remote setting?
Thanks for your insight, I especially loved the first graphic you shared! Many tools associated with a disability oftentimes are used heavily by non-disabled people. Making others understand this is so important to making more spaces accessible for everyone's benefit.
Lauren- Thanks for visiting my blog. I don't know what how the Simple Blocker would work in a remote setting but it would be interesting to find out. I find that learning a movement helps the students remember the term. I started adding some basic sign language when a few of my students needed a interpreter to sign. Figured this was a way to connect with the students and have their classmates learn a few ways to communicate with them.
DeleteThanks for the specific examples of how you incorporate UDL principles into your art program. Not teaching the subject, this was helpful for me. Your infographic is also a great addition to your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the easy-to-read infographic on the built-in and extension tools provided with Chromebooks. It's so important that students, educators and parents know about these great features because it's always nice to have plenty of free tools in our toolbelts. What works for one student may not work for another so it's nice to have options.
ReplyDeleteHi Kirsten. I love the graphic that you included in your visual. It is very similar to the equity versus equality graphic we are all familiar with. That graphic can be easily added to schools PDs to describe accessibility in the classroom. My district is a Google distract so I appreciate how your topic relates to myself. I also think you graphic is visually appealing and easy to follow along. The visuals added don't distract readers but add to the value of the words. Thank you!
ReplyDelete**** Kristen! I am sorry for misspelling your name!
ReplyDelete