Article: How Can Teachers Promote the Use of Accessible Tech in schools?

Article 1: How can I advocate for universal design and accessible technologies for my students?

Burgstahler, S. (2004). How can K-12 teachers promote the use of accessible technology in schools? National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education. Retrieved September 17, 2007, from http://www.washington.edu/accessit/articles?1252

This article presents useful definitions of terminology related to accessibility:

AT – Assistive Technology – grammar checks, text-to-speech technology, etc.

IT – Information Technology – computers, software, web sites, etc.

UD – Universal Design – In this sense, educators should be choosing products that are able to be utilized by everyone.

Accessible Information Technology – “Producers consider the needs of people when developing IT.”

The authors promote the idea that Accessible Technology & Information Technology can work together.

The authors point out that promoting Universal Design can lead to implementation of NCLB. It is also stated that educators can follow a four step plan to meet the needs of all learners.

1. Educators should be knowledgeable about UD and accessible technology. (In our case, check!)

2. Teachers should “identify the barriers” students have when they attempt to access technology and education. (Working on it…)

3. Districts should write a technology plan that is sensitive to learners’ needs. (Perhaps, next step?)

4. The plan should be instituted and be used to always consider accessibility in the purchasing and utilization of technology.
There are also some useful websites on this page that educators can use to access more information.