Accessible Education Tips
Teaching to students with different abilities does not mean the academic rigor is
lowered. Teaching to students with different abilities pushes educators to be more
clear, concise, and intentional about their teaching. Taking on a mindset of accessible
education improves teaching quality and provides all students an opportunity to access
course content in more effective ways. Accessible education aims to reduce accommodation
needs and move towards inclusion.
Watch our Accessible Education Workshop video (7 minutes).
Here are some tips for designing content and teaching with accessible education in mind (these tips are in no particular order and are not extensive):
- Let students know of course material as soon as possible
- Attempt to be specific when describing visuals
- Use Alt. text on images
- Read aloud anything that is on the PowerPoint or handouts
- Be sure electronic documents can be used with a screen reader
- Choose digital textbooks or books
- Provide PDF documents as often as possible
- Allow for multiple means of action or expression for assessments
- Use plain language
- Focus attention on important content
- Limit distractions
- Be consistent
- Make lighting adjustments in classrooms
- Meet students in alternate locations if your office is inaccessible
- Caption your lectures and videos
- Use large print and clear font
- Make sure your course can be navigated by keyboard
- Over-communicate and be willing to repeat yourself
- Use concrete examples
- Make concrete connections between topics
- Set clear guidelines for participation
- Provide breaks
- Provide step-by-step instructions
- Deliver instruction in a variety of ways
- Allow for partnership and collaborative discussion and projects
- Provide visuals to support understanding
- Use normal speech patterns
- Ask clear and short questions
- Repeat responses given from students
- Provide a visual cue when necessary while speaking
- If a student has an ASL interpreter, look at the student, not the interpreter
- Be aware that the interpreter will interpret everything that is said unless a private conversation is happening
- Make sure there are clear pathways in your classroom
- Provide choice for assignments
- Create a flexible learning environment