How might we create a school culture that values accessibility?

Building an accessible school culture benefits every student. What strategies can we implement to ensure all learners feel welcome and supported?

My name is Megan McKellar, and I've had the privilege of teaching K-10 in diverse settings like Hong Kong, Italy, and the UAE. Currently, I serve as the Instructional Leader for Design at Branksome Hall, an IB World School in Toronto. My experience as an Apple Distinguished Educator and Apple Professional Learning Specialist, coupled with my time at two Apple Distinguished Schools, has deeply instilled the importance of accessibility in education.

Creating a truly accessible school culture goes beyond compliance; it's about creating an environment where every student feels empowered to learn and grow. This requires a collaborative effort from all members of the school community.

Strategies for Fostering Accessibility

  • Leadership Commitment: School leaders play a crucial role in championing accessibility. At Branksome Hall, our school-based research center allows us to explore innovative solutions. In partnership with Apple, we developed tools addressing executive functioning challenges in G4 and G6 classes, using Keynote and Numbers to create tailored supports like a 'Break Tracker' and an executive functioning 'app' prototype.

 

Executive Functioning "App" in Keynote
Executive Functioning "App" in Keynote

  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL): UDL principles, coupled with the flexibility of iPad and Mac, allow us to adapt curriculum and instruction to diverse learning styles. Our Grade 2 Accessibility unit even empowers students to explore these tools and design their own accessible solutions.

 

Accessibility Bingo in Keynote
Accessibility Bingo in Keynote

  • Community Partnerships: Collaborations enrich the learning experience. Our Grade 9 Design students partner with 'Let's Grow' to create sensory boards, gaining valuable perspectives on accessibility and inclusive design.

 

Let's Grow Learning and Living Hub
Let's Grow Learning and Living Hub

  • Student Voice & Ongoing Assessment: We believe in empowering student voices and continuously evaluating our accessibility practices to ensure we're meeting the evolving needs of our learners.

By proactively addressing accessibility, we not only support students with diverse needs but also create a richer, more inclusive learning environment for everyone.

Let's share our experiences and ideas! How are you fostering accessibility in your school? What challenges have you faced, and what successes have you celebrated?

3 replies

October 02, 2024

I think this might be my favorite line: it's about creating an environment where every student feels empowered to learn and grow. We have always been great fans of student voice and choice. This year, we are leveling up and working more to create different pacing opportunities so students can feel successful and engaged on their level. Our K-2 is currently researching what it might look like to share kids across grade levels in math. UDL plays a huge role in this endeavor. And, of course, iPad makes our job as facilitators so much easier as students can tailor their process to best meet their needs!

October 03, 2024

I love that you look at accessibility as a collaborative effort of the whole school community. It really does take everyone! We foster accessibility in our school by acknowledging accessibility tools anytime we share iPad activities. When the accessibility tools are woven into conversations and PD for teachers, they can have a better idea of what it looks like to embed it into the activities they plan for students in their classroom. One of my favorite tools to share with teachers when they are overwhelmed by the number of accessibility tools on iPad is the Accessibility Shortcut in the shortcuts app. You can put in the needs of your student and it will generate a note with applicable accessibility tools AND video links on how to use them.

October 12, 2024

The work you you and your leaders are championing in your District is wonderful! I love the templates you have shared as quick wins. Especially the power in choice and self reflection that supports learner self efficacy within the Keynote "app" template! So clever! What learners believe about themselves matters and teaching them to reflect as well as critically think about their learning tools and experiences will support their success now and in the future. In our District we have most recently been working more closely with our Instructional Leaders and District Administration to learn more about what they can look for within the digital design space within our Learning Management System (LMS). In addition to this, leaders need to understand all the ways that learners can engage with and share their learning around the topics in the classroom. Making sure instructional leaders have foundational knowledge and are using iPad within their own workflow is an area where we struggle and continue to address too.

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