Students across Nebraska are adjusting to at-home learning. Likewise, families are attempting to assist their kids with lessons provided by schools. Accessibility issues challenge blind parents and students as they navigate this new normal.
Districts distribute packets of print material so that students can maintain the curriculum and advance to the next grade level for the 20-21 school year.
Technology offers a variety of accessibility options these days, from OCR, like Seeing AI, to services, such as AIRA, that provide sighted agents with access to visual mediums via smart devices. Nonetheless, this is not direct access to the material.
Districts often simultaneously post the print material via websites, but it’s not always accessible. Scholastic, ABC Mouse, and PBS Kids also offer e-learning opportunities, but accessing these sites with a screen reader like JAWS or MVDA is not always an option.
The Department of Education insists that IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act should be upheld as schools shift to remote learning. Still, sometimes, despite best efforts, accessibility remains a struggle.
Visually impaired children and their parents/guardians need direct access to lessons and tools so that educational endeavors can continue. Here are some resources that make online learning accessible.
Virtual Expanded Core Education Learning (EXCEL)Academy for Students with Visual Impairments
Virtual Expanded Core Education Learning (EXCEL) Academy for Students with Visual Impairments offers free daily lessons for blind and visually impaired students. Qualified teachers of visually impaired students across the United States will present a range of lessons.
VISTAS Education Partners Inc.
VISTAS Education Partners Inc. Teachers of the visually impaired and advocates for the blind set up a national hotline for blind and visually impaired students to provide Q and A for K through 12th grades.
Breezy Special Ed
Breezy Special Ed supplies distance learning material for disabled students.
Accessibyte Online
Accessibyte Online allows disabled students free access to its entire app platform.
Working Together to Support Students with Visual Impairments to Access Curriculum
The American Foundation for the Blind created a group of volunteers to assist students and families with distance learning. So far, 48 volunteers are available to provide educational support.
The National Federation of the Blind now offers Interactive Lessons for Blind Children and their Families on Thursday mornings via Zoom.
AIRA
AIRA now permits free access to its platform for all visually impaired college students.
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults
The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults made their online classes free of charge through May 31.
Reading resources for visually impaired children
Many reading resources are available for blind and visually impaired children. Two popular digital libraries — Bookshare and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, also known as NLS — provide books in electronic braille and audio formats for visually impaired and print-disabled users. Bookshare is a subscription service, while NLS requires proof of disability before granting access to its books.
Audible currently offers free downloads for children. Check out our accessible reading apps blog for additional reading resources.
As we all stay safe at home, we must do our best to keep up with educational goals. We hope these resources are making online learning accessible. Contact Outlook Enrichment if you have additional questions about distance learning resources.
