You may be wondering what “accessibility” means. Well, it is the practice of making information, activities, and/or environments sensible, meaningful, and usable for as many people as possible. When we further extend this concept to education, it leaves us wondering and bothered as to why had this initiative not been taken sooner?
As Learnosity puts it best, “Accessibility in education helps create better opportunities for learners. If learning materials are not accessible to learners, then learners’ abilities won’t be accessible to educators.” Although all students receive and respond to information in various ways, the belief that people with learning disabilities are somehow less skilled academically is a myth that has to be corrected. The loss of potential is the most visible victim of the documented failures. Students with learning disabilities are not only less likely to finish postsecondary education, but they are also less likely to find work than those who do not have a learning impairment.
However, the impact of a failing educational system on the lives of individuals with special needs extends beyond academic and financial concerns. Another debilitating side effect is its social impact. A terrible school experience will affect a student’s self-image as well as their view of how others may see their situation. Because special education is an undeniably complicated field, it is critical that it be appropriately resourced.
Technology has emerged as a potential answer to the complicated difficulties of student diversity in an age of fast digital change. More schools are integrating technology to provide a better learning experience to their pupils, no doubt encouraged by the excitement around individual learning and capabilities. It’s understandable why they’d be excited to do so. Educational technology presents a unique chance to democratize education while also relieving the strain on overworked teachers. Some children with learning difficulties, for example, may need longer time on tests. Educators can readily determine such particular factors using assessment methods. Furthermore, in terms of both test delivery and marking, they provide higher scale and speed. In education, accessibility may be regarded as a two-way mirror. On one hand, learners must have easier access to learning materials. On the other side, if learners’ genuine skills are to be completely realized, instructors must have access to them.
We can hope with the new advancements and changes in our educational planning and strategies, education is made more accessible to those it is unfairly put forth currently. At the very least, it should be “equal” to all in the sense that everyone should have the equal chance to be able to be assessed based on their abilities, rather than having to fit through the norms that were traditionally set.