Meeting the Needs of Students With Disabilities in Online Learning Environments

Abstract

Online learning environments provide opportunities for students to learn in a flexible manner, regardless of their personal circumstances. These opportunities open the door for many students to have more control over their learning. For students with disabilities, however, the implications are much different. Access to course content and material online can be a major barrier to success for students with disabilities. Making online courses accessible, measuring accessibility, and creating accessible materials and curriculum resources can be daunting tasks for educators, especially those with little to no formal training in special education. This chapter will provide tips developed through the lived experiences of those who work with students who have disabilities to assist educators in successfully meeting the needs of all students in their courses. Consequently, the aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of how to meet the needs of students with disabilities in online learning environments.