Some Challenges Faced by Students with Disabilities in Online Learning

Some challenges faced by students with disabilities in online learning:

Physical disabilities

/ Learning Disabilities / Visual impairments / Hearing impairments / Mental illnesses
Physical access to the computer
Size of the icons used and the proximity to other icons.
Physical manipulation of texts and other course materials
Timing of synchronous components of the course, especially chat rooms
Research activities to fulfill assignments – especially if those activities require the student to work outside of the course environment. / Accessing textbooks and printed course materials
Clarification of misunderstood points
Timing and organization of synchronous components, especially chat rooms
Extra time to take online exams and other assessments
Assignments – is extra time needed? / Interaction of course management system and assistive technology used by the student
Textbooks and other course materials in alternative formats
Video components and captions
Audio descriptions of salient “unspoken” components of videos
Graphics, photos & charts
Research activities to fulfill assignments – especially if those activities require the student to work outside of the course environment. / Audio components and transcripts
Sound of video components
Language issues if ASL is the first language
Timing and organization of any synchronous components, especially chat rooms used.
Research activities to fulfill assignments – especially if those activities require the student to work outside of the course environment / Timing issues due to the side effects of medications taken or due to flare up of condition
Processing of text heavy courses
Need to increase phone/email contact with instructor to clarify misunderstood points
Social skills needed in online courses, especially in chats and discussion posts

Mackey & Hermann, Integrating Web 2.0 into Accessible Online Learning March 10, 2011