Empower Every Learner: Optimizing the LMS for Accessibility and Equity

Welcome to an enlightening exploration of how Learning Management Systems (LMS) can be optimized to ensure accessibility and equity for all learners. This presentation, “Empower Every Learner: Optimizing the LMS for Accessibility and Equity,” delves into the practical strategies and legal considerations necessary to create an inclusive learning environment.

Key Highlights

Session Norms and Introductions

Dr. Chris Smith, an experienced Instructional Designer from North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS), sets the stage by establishing session norms focused on empathy, capacity building, solution orientation, and shared expertise.

Defining Accessibility

Understand the fundamental concept of accessibility, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can access the same information and services as those without disabilities, with equal ease.

Busting Myths and Understanding Terms

Explore the differences between accommodations and modifications through engaging activities. Learn how assistive technology supports individuals with disabilities in accomplishing specific tasks, and distinguish between accessibility, accommodations, and assistive technology.

Legal Considerations

Familiarize yourself with critical legal frameworks, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Understand the role of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights in overseeing accessibility compliance.

Common Accommodations and Tools

Discover the most common accommodations included in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for instructional content, activities, and assessments. Learn about text-to-speech versus screen readers, and how built-in features can promote independence for students.

Practical Application in LMS

See real examples of how to implement accommodations in LMS platforms like Canvas. Explore methods to provide extended time, multiple attempts, reduced answer choices, and multiple testing sessions to meet diverse learner needs.

Enhancing Assessments and Academic Integrity

Address concerns about academic integrity when using Open Educational Resources (OER). Combine AI and OER to create unique assessment questions and project options, ensuring originality and inclusivity.

Interactive Learning Experience

Engage in activities designed to help you implement these strategies. Identify main topics, generate measurable objectives, create engaging introductions, design learning activities with scoring rubrics, and develop assessment questions with feedback. Customize these elements for inclusivity, ensuring a comprehensive and equitable learning experience.

Join me on this journey to optimize Learning Management Systems, ensuring every learner has the opportunity to succeed in an inclusive and equitable educational environment.