SETDA Releases Brief on Accessible Resources

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) has released a new policy brief addressing the accessibility of digital instructional resources.

The paper, "The Accessibility of Learning Content for All Students, Including Students with Disabilities, Must Be Addressed in the Shift to Digital Instructional Materials," addresses "the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Framework, open educational resources (OER) and federal law requirements regarding accessibility of instructional materials," according to a SETDA news release.

"Digital learning materials are used increasingly in our schools and classrooms, including in virtual and blended learning spaces," according to the authors of the brief. "These tools and resources have the potential to be created with inherent accessibility functions, and policymakers have a legal responsibility to ensure that this development does not leave students with disabilities behind. With educators increasingly creating digital content, state and district policymakers should ensure that educators are informed about OER, including attendant licensing options, so that materials can be used by the broadest range of learners."

Recommendations of the paper include:

  • Establish a clear vision for the use of accessible that can be shared with publishers, vendors and educators;
  • "Support the Flexibility and Customization Options Provided by Accessible Open
    Educational Resources";
  • Provide professional development and technical assistance for teachers;
  • Make sure teachers have access to quality online repositories of accessible resources;
  • "Invest in research and evaluation"; and
  • Address funding issues.

"It is important that education leaders take proactive steps to ensure that all students have full access to instructional materials in the digital age," said Douglas Levin, SETDA executive director, in a prepared statement. "We are pleased to provide clear information, resources and guidance toward this goal."

The full brief, along with an archived webinar discussing it, are available at setda.org.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • classroom scene with students gathered around a laptop showing a virtual tour interface

    Discovery Education Announces Spring Lineup of Free Virtual Field Trips

    This Spring, Discovery Education is collaborating with partners such as Warner Bros., DC Comics, National Science Foundation, NBA, and more to present a series of free virtual field trips for K-12 students.

  • glowing padlock shape integrated into a network of interconnected neon-blue lines and digital nodes, set against a soft, blurred geometric background

    3 in 4 Administrators Expect a Security Incident to Impact Their School This Year

    In an annual survey from education identity platform Clever, 74% of administrators admitted that they believe a security incident is likely to impact their school system in the coming year. That's up from 71% who said the same last year.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • pattern of icons for math and reading, including a pi symbol, calculator, and open book

    HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

    Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.