What are the key barriers to accessibility, and how can we address them?

In this post I will point out some of the key barriers to accessibility as well as provide a few strategies to leverage technology to move past those barriers. While accessibility is a constant and ever changing need in our classrooms, our adaptability and adoption can be hindered by some key barriers to implementation. Those barriers can include the lack of access to technology/supports, restrictive environments that stifle creativity and empowerment, and low educator comfort levels. 

Hello! My name is Chuck Langston. Apple Distinguished Educator class of 2019. I currently serve as the Director of Technology for the Gordon County School District in Georgia (USA). Before my current position I was the Instructional Technology Coordinator, a middle school social studies teacher before that, and a high school math teacher before that. Technology can be a phenomenal equalizer when it comes to providing an accessible learning environment. When crafting our approach to the learners of our environment I definitely approach it from that lens because it is where I have had the most impact.

To break through these barriers we can power ourselves up by asking some thoughtful questions.

As leaders our greatest tool to overcome these barriers is flexibility. While we cannot control the severity of the barriers in our learning environments, we can control how our attitudes, policies, and procedures adapt to them.

Access

While many schools have been able to implement 1:1 initiatives, some students are in classrooms without access to the devices that can help them thrive. Whether we are in an established 1:1, in the beginning stages, or in a school without 1:1 access. The way we approach technology use in the classroom can determine the access levels for our learners. It is paramount we, as leaders, build an environment where we trust our learners and educators to gauge where they are with accessible technology features. In order to do that we need to invest in learning and digital citizenship that tailors to our specific learning environments. In the event that school issued devices are not available, we as leaders can work towards allowing students to use the devices that are available to them to be leveraged to make the learning environment more accessible. By helping them understand the proper use of the technology they have available we can help them build autonomy and self advocacy.

Rigid Rules and Regulations

As we build the trust within our learning environments, we empower our learners and educators to advocate for their own learning. They can decide what is best for them and customize the device uses in the learning environment. As leaders we can ensure that we are not over restricting the capabilities of devices or the way we use devices for learning. Whether it is management of the device itself (via MDM or other platforms) or policies and procedures, we have to ensure that our learners and educators have access to all the tools they need. We definitely want to keep our students and staff safe, but we have to be thoughtful in this process. Just because we can lock something down does not mean that it is necessarily beneficial. Without thoughtful crafting we can establish self created barriers in our learning environments.

By not restricting access to built-in, powerful apps like translate learners and educators can converse across language barriers.

It’s never too early for our learners to learn the personalized ways devices can make learning accessible. This learner uses pointer control settings to make their interactions on the iPad more visible.

Educator Comfort Levels

Our learning environments have to be a place where learners are comfortable learning and educators are comfortable facilitating that learning. We have to move past viewing failure as a destination and see it as a part of the journey. As leaders we can model and establish that culture in our learning environments. We can leverage a professional learning model that understands our collective and individual struggles and finds a specific approach to support our staff in their growth.

Some great tools that can support us in this area:

The Apple Education Community-Crowdsource your support, there are so many likeminded creative individuals who have been where you are.

The Apple Education Community Learning Center-let your staff learn at their own pace and find their place to shine.

Apple Learning Coach- Provide the support for your instructional staff to meet your educators no matter where they are.

What are some of the key barriers to accessibility you face in your learning environment? What strategies have you used to move past those barriers?