Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction & Digital Learning and Technology Barriers Series

This week’s focus is on asssessment, curriculum and instruction, and digital learning and technology barriers.

The report discussed the following regarding barriers in assessment, curriculum and instruction: 

  • Post-secondary institutions struggle with providing equitable access to assessments, curriculum and instruction for students with disabilities 
  • This struggle is the result of higher education evolving from a system that did not consider the full inclusion of students with a diverse range of abilities and learning needs 

Recommendations from the report included: 

  1. The Ontario government shall work with post-secondary institutions, especially with their centres for teaching and learning, to create a common set of accessibility standards for all teaching and learning offered through the post-secondary institutions 
  2. Post-secondary institutions are to identify and publicly communicate the bona fide and essential academic requirements of a program or course in multiple locations. Such as the program website, program manual, course outlines/syllabus, and teaching and learning plans. 

The report discussed the following regarding digital learning and technology barriers: 

  • An accessible digital learning environment means that students with disabilities can access and use technology, produce and consume content, and engage in learning independently and effectively. 

Recommendations from the report include: 

  1. Equitable access to resources, opportunities and services shall be made available to learners with disabilities at no additional cost to the learner. 
  2. Each post-secondary institution shall develop a digital accessibility plan which provides processes and policies to ensure all users access the same digital information or digital services regardless of the impairments they may experience. 

The full report is available online

Visit our ALS Information for Faculty website to learn more about accommodating students with disabilities. 

Please email us at accessible-learning@humber.ca with suggestions for key accessibility-related topics that you would like us to address through the Communiqué.