A recent survey by Microsoft found teachers agreeing that accessible technology is needed now more than ever. Classroom and educational accessibility play an important role in shaping student success. They help to foster an inclusive environment where all students, regardless of abilities, have equal opportunities to thrive academically. Institutions are increasingly prioritizing inclusive practices as a result. Many are finding that accessible learning tools and strategies have become central to empowering students with disabilities, English language learners and those with varying learning styles.
In short, providing accessibility is no longer just an option ─ it’s a necessity.
What is educational accessibility?
Educational accessibility refers to the design of instructional environments, materials, and experiences that accommodate the needs of all learners. It ensures that students with disabilities ─ physical, sensory or cognitive ─ can fully participate in the learning process without barriers. Accessibility in education extends beyond physical spaces and includes digital platforms, content, assessments and instructional materials. In a fully accessible classroom, all students have the same opportunity to succeed.
Key components of educational accessibility include:
- Assistive technologies: Devices and tools that support students with disabilities, such as screen readers, speech-to-text software and digital note-takers.
- Accessible digital content: Ensuring that all educational content, from course readings to multimedia presentations, is available in accessible formats, including captions, transcripts and alt-text for images.
- Universal design for learning (UDL): A framework that provides multiple means of representation, engagement and expression to meet the diverse needs of students.
- Accommodations and modifications: Adjustments made to the learning environment or teaching methods, such as extended test times, large-print materials or individualized instruction.
The link between accessibility and student success
A recent survey of teachers found that 84% said that it’s impossible to achieve equity in education without accessible learning tools. The same survey noted that 87% of teachers agreed that accessible technologies not only help level the playing field for students with disabilities but also generate insights that help teachers better understand and support all students.
Accessible classrooms are essential for fostering student success because they remove barriers to learning. When students have access to the tools and resources they need, they can engage with course material on an equal footing.
Budgeting for accessibility services
Providing access services requires thoughtful budgeting to address the diverse needs of students with disabilities. Schools likely will need to conduct an accessibility audit to identify the specific needs of their student population, and budget for assistive technologies, such as captioning, transcription or audio description services.
A fixed-price accessibility subscription plan, like that offered by Verbit, can help alleviate some of the challenges school leaders face in budgeting for accessibility throughout the school year.
Verbit Unlimited offers industry leading captioning, transcription and translation support at one annual price, enabling schools, colleges and universities to scale accessibility initiatives across campuses in new and affordable ways.
With prices based on the number of students enrolled, Verbit Unlimited offers a wide range of accessibility solutions, including unlimited live English and Spanish captioning via our AI-driven Captivate™ captioning service, unlimited post-production captions for student accommodation requests, unlimited translation into two languages via advanced AI machine translation and transcript insights by Verbit’s generative AI-based tool, Gen.V™.
Barriers to accessibility and how to overcome them
Despite the importance of accessibility, many students still face barriers in the classroom. These can range from a lack of accessible course materials to inadequate teacher training on how to support diverse learners. Some students may feel uncomfortable requesting accommodations or fear being stigmatized for using assistive technology.
To overcome these barriers, schools and universities can adopt a proactive approach:
- Prioritize accessibility in curriculum design: Incorporate accessibility from the outset, rather than retrofitting materials, to ensure all students are included from the start.
- Provide faculty training: Educators should receive ongoing training on accessibility best practices, including how to use assistive technologies and create inclusive lesson plans.
- Leverage technology: Accessibility and technology providers, like Verbit, offer AI-driven tools that provide real-time captions, transcripts and translations, making content more accessible to students in real time.
- Encourage open dialogue: Create an environment where students feel safe discussing their needs and advocate for accommodations is essential to fostering an inclusive culture.
The future of accessible education
As technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for enhancing classroom inclusion are expanding. AI-powered tools, such as speech recognition software and real-time transcription services, are making it easier for students to access lectures and discussions, regardless of their abilities. Virtual and hybrid learning environments also offer new opportunities to tailor education to individual needs, providing flexibility in how and where students engage with their studies.
By investing in accessibility, educational institutions are not only complying with legal requirements but also building a more equitable learning environment. When all students have the resources and support they need, the entire community benefits.
Partner with Verbit for educational access
Creating inclusive learning experiences requires specialized expertise. Verbit’s team has the experience, knowledge and technologies to help. We’re trusted by a variety of colleges and universities, such as San Francisco State University, the University of Arizona and Oregon State University, and others, to make classes and classrooms more inclusive.
Connect with us to learn more about how we can work together to enhance the accessibility of your courses, campus events and more.