How to eliminate access barriers and create a bridge by converting course websites to shared folders for online classes, suitable for students with disabilities

I have an eye and brain condition affected by flashing lights. Here’s how I work with instructors to modify assignments and course content as needed

When I was in high school, my instructors would provide copies of assignments and classroom materials using a shared folder system that was set up with Dropbox. With this system, I could download copies of instructional content, work on the assignment using my personal device…

At the time of writing this post, I have taken fourteen online classes on the Moodle learning management system platform, including a mix of high school and college classes across all core subject areas. As a student, I don’t have control over which platforms my…

When preparing for an IEP meeting, a 504 Plan meeting, or a Disability Services meeting, parents and students will often be asked to come up with sample accommodations that can be used to provide services for students in the classroom. However, it can be very…

When I was first approved to receive extended time accommodations for low vision, I remember wondering how that would work in a middle school or high school setting where students had a single class period to take an exam or work on a timed assignment.…

Since I first stepped into my kindergarten classroom, I have used some form of assistive technology for dysgraphia every day of my life and in every single one of my classes and jobs, from K-12 to college to graduate school. Even though my handwriting has…

I was first introduced to the Canvas Learning Management System (Canvas LMS) when I was taking online math classes through a community college. While I had experience with using Blackboard, Desire2Learn, and Moodle for other online classes I had taken in the past, Canvas was…

When I was working with a student preparing to transition to middle school, I worked with the student’s support team to come up with a list of ideas and strategies for setting up their future middle school classrooms with low vision accessibility in mind. Since…

When I was working with an elementary school student with low vision, I collaborated with their support team and classroom teacher to make their elementary school classroom more accessible to students with visual impairments so that they could navigate the space independently. Before, the student…

Ever since ninth grade, all of the history classes I have ever taken have been online history classes because I find it easier to access information on my computer or tablet compared to larger lecture settings where it can be challenging to view information presented…

I frequently get questions about the most common classroom accommodations for low vision from parents, students, and support team members trying to figure out what accommodations they need for Student Assistance Plans (SAPs), 504 Plans, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and college Disability Services files. While…