The PACER (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) came to an agreement for defining accommodations and modifications. Accommodations give students the opportunity to do the same assignments and tests as others with changes in timing, scheduling, formatting, and/or presentation. Modification adjusts an assignment or test to change what it is to measure. On-line learning accommodations to implement were detailed and provided guidelines to approach the learning needs of students with disabilities (Brown).
Assistive technology connects closely to design and delivery for on-line instruction. Generating Assistive Technology Systematically (GENASYS) has developed learning resources for on-line instruction. GENYASYS (2000) defines assistive technology as �any item that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of an individual with a disability.�
There are many options and levels for devices and the technology and cost have a wide range. Numerous examples were listed to illustrate how an individual can have access to technology.
Web accessibility for learners with disabilities will allow for effective instruction. GENYSAS (2000) states: �accessible Web design and construction allow all people to join in and benefit for this use of this powerful tool�. Suggestions to make Web-sites accessible were related to visual components such as images, multimedia, graphs, hypertext links, applets, and tables. The computer, keyboard, and mouse are able to be adapted. Improvement in the design of Web-sites will benefit persons who may be restricted by vision, hearing, movement, or information processing (Brown). The resources available must be applied for all learners to be educated.
When on-line learning is used for students with disabilities, there are resources, strategies, and design issues to address. By employing these concepts, the appropriate tools will be selected to enable learners. Their capabilities can be accommodated with assistive technology devices and services. Using effective design and delivery of instruction relates to the social and human issues of Standard VI. The resources discussed provide equitable access to technology and the Internet for all learners.
Presenting the federal legislation that has been enacted provided excellent background information to understand the need of resources for individual with disabilities. Statistics indicating that 25 percent of the population has learning disabilities was strong evidence that Web sites must be accessible for all. The assistive technology available was comprehensive as were the design elements for accessible Internet sources.
Brown, J. (Fall 2002). Enhancing on-line learning for individuals with disabilities. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 91.
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