Teachers: 4 Reasons Why Accessibility Matters
Why is learning about accessibility important for teachers?
We are all teachers of SEN and understanding accessibility is a core part of that. Learning about accessibility is essential for teachers because it helps them provide equitable and inclusive education for all students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Accessibility means ensuring that everyone can access, understand, and participate in the learning process, without facing unnecessary barriers or disadvantages. Accessibility can benefit not only students with disabilities, but also students with diverse learning preferences, and needs.
We recommend the WeCanAccess courses to learn more about accessibility, special needs and education with CACHE Level 1 accredited training.
Why learning about accessibility is important for teachers
It is a legal and ethical obligation.
Teachers must comply with the relevant laws and policies that protect the rights and interests of students with disabilities, such as the Equality Act 2010 in the UK, the Americans with Disabilities Act in the US, or the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These laws and policies require teachers to provide reasonable adjustments and accommodations for students with disabilities, and to avoid discrimination and harassment. Learning about accessibility can help teachers understand their responsibilities and obligations, and avoid legal consequences or complaints.
Accessibility is best professional and pedagogical practice.
Teachers have a role in promoting high-quality and effective teaching and learning for all students. Learning about accessibility can help teachers enhance their professional skills and knowledge, and adopt best practices and standards for accessible and inclusive education. For example, teachers can learn how to design and deliver accessible and engaging learning materials, activities, and assessments, using various formats, methods, and tools. They can also learn how to communicate and collaborate with students, colleagues, and other stakeholders, using respectful and inclusive language and strategies.
It is a personal and social value.
Teachers have a unique opportunity to influence and inspire their students, and to contribute to their academic and personal development. Learning about accessibility can help teachers cultivate their personal and social values, such as empathy, respect, diversity, and equity. For example, teachers can learn how to appreciate and celebrate their students’ differences and similarities and encourage them to do the same. They can also learn how to challenge and overcome the stereotypes and stigma associated with disability, and to advocate for the rights and dignity of people with disabilities.
What is Accessibility?
Accessibility is the degree to which your teaching practices enable all students to access, understand, and participate in the learning process, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Assessing the accessibility of your teaching practices can help you identify and remove any barriers or disadvantages that may affect some of your students, and enhance the quality and effectiveness of your teaching and learning.
How can I measure how accessible my teaching is?
There are different methods and tools that you can use to assess the accessibility of your teaching practices, such as:
Self-evaluation: You can reflect on your assumptions, expectations, and experiences as a teacher, and how they may influence the way you design and deliver your teaching and learning activities, materials, and assessments. You can also use various frameworks and checklists to guide your self-evaluation, such as the POUR model for assessing the accessibility of digital tools and apps, or the UCL Inclusive Curriculum Health Check for assessing the inclusivity of your curriculum.
Student feedback: You can gather feedback from your students about their learning needs, preferences, and experiences, and how they perceive the accessibility and inclusivity of your teaching practices. You can use various methods and tools to collect student feedback, such as surveys, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, or online platforms. You can also use the UCL Inclusive Student Experience Survey to measure your students’ sense of belonging, engagement, and satisfaction with your course.
Peer observation: You can invite a colleague or a peer to observe your teaching sessions and provide you with constructive feedback and suggestions on how to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of your teaching practices. You can also observe other teachers and learn from their examples and strategies. You can use the UCL Peer Dialogue Scheme to facilitate peer observation and feedback in a supportive and collegial way.
External review: You can seek external review and accreditation from relevant bodies or agencies specialising in accessibility and inclusivity in education, such as the National Association of Disability Practitioners, the Equality Challenge Unit, and the Higher Education Academy. These bodies or agencies can provide expert advice, guidance, and recognition for your efforts to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of your teaching practices.
