special needs - Learning Ecosystems

Two items re: digital accessibility

On 08/17/2023, in accessibility / UDL, productivity / tips and tricks, professional development, special needs, by Daniel Christian

Digital Accessibility: Life Without Hindrance — from learningguild.com by Bill Brandon

Digital accessibility is the practice of making digital content and applications accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This means ensuring that websites, mobile applications, and digital platforms are designed and developed in such a way that people with various types of impairments—visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, or neurological—can use them without hindrance. It’s about removing barriers in the digital world, enabling equal access and opportunity to everyone, similar to how physical accessibility considerations in building design ensure everyone can navigate through them. Digital accessibility is not just a legal necessity but also a socially responsible practice, ensuring inclusivity in the increasingly digital landscape of our society.

Improve the Digital Accessibility of Your Content — from learningguild.com by Bill Brandon

Improving the digital accessibility of existing text ensures that you can reuse your learning support assets. In this article, I’m going to give you a list of ideas to achieve that objective, using a set of ideas presented in a previous article. In general, the content here will improve accessibility and readability for all learners.

Neurodivergent Students Need Flexibility, Not Our Frustration [Rose Guest Pryal]

On 07/14/2023, in adjunct faculty, colleges, communications, community colleges, faculty, higher education, instructional design, law schools, learning ecosystem, Learning Experience Design, special needs, teaching & learning, United States, universities, by Daniel Christian

Neurodivergent Students Need Flexibility, Not Our Frustration — from chronicle.com by Katie Rose Guest Pryal
In negotiating accommodations, we need more communication and less suspicion.

Excerpt:

A quick note: When I refer to neurodivergent (ND) students, I mean people whose mental or neurological function is different from what is considered typical. This includes not only students with ADHD or autism, but also those with anxiety, depression, or other mental-health disorders. Crucially, I’m also writing here about the many college students who are struggling with their mental health for whatever reason, and need our understanding and care to prevent them from doing poorly, dropping out, or facing something much, much worse.

Two key messages underlie all of the advice that follows: More communication. Less suspicion.

Also from Katie Rose Guest Pryal out at The Chronicle, of Higher Education, see:

How to Teach Your (Many) Neurodivergent Students
It’s easier than you think to make your classroom welcoming and accessible to students with autism and other diagnoses.

Special Education Myth Busting [Phillips-Krivickas]

On 05/16/2023, in assistive technologies, Bias | Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), parents/guardians, reinvent, society, special needs, student-related, teachers, teaching & learning, youth, by Daniel Christian

Special Education Myth Busting — from gettingsmart.com by Karla Phillips-Krivickas

Excerpts:

FACT: 14% of all U.S. students have a disability.
FACT: At least 85% of students with disabilities can learn and achieve on grade level.
FACT: Students don’t outgrow their disabilities.
FACT: The majority of students with disabilities spend most of their day in regular classrooms.
FACT – Students with disabilities consistently experience the lowest academic outcomes.

Addendum on 5/22/23:

Getting Smart Town Hall re: Special Education Links (SHARED) – Google Drive

On a somewhat-related note, see:

What Does Assistive Tech Look Like with One-to-One Programs? — from edtechmagazine.com by Rebecca Torchia
In a recent episode of Focus on EDU, one special education teacher shared tips for working with parents and integrating tech’s assistive benefits into the classroom.

Excerpt:

As K–12 schools adopt one-to-one device programs, they have the opportunity to introduce more assistive technologies into classrooms. These accommodations can help bring equity into schools, and in ways that don’t make students feel singled out.

“When I started teaching, students who needed anything outside of that traditional pen-and-paper environment had to leave the environment in general education to be able to access those things,” Laura Hess, executive director of special education at St. Vrain Valley Schools in Colorado, said on an episode of Focus on EDU. “Now, a lot of districts across the U.S. are one-to-one districts, so all of our students have access to technology. Students don’t need to leave the classroom to access that support.”

OPINION: Post pandemic, it’s time for a bold overhaul of U.S. public education, starting now — from hechingerreport.org by William Hite and Kirsten Baesler
Personalized learning can restore public faith and meet the diverse needs of our nation’s students

Excerpt:

Across all socioeconomic and racial groups, Americans want an education system that goes beyond college preparation and delivers practical skills for every learner, based on their own needs, goals and vision for the future.

We believe that this can be achieved by making the future of learning more personalized, focused on the needs of individual learners, with success measured by progress and proficiency instead of point-in-time test scores.

Change is hard, but we expect our students to take risks and fail every day. We should ask no less of ourselves.

This AR Art App Helps You Paint Giant Mural [Melnick] + AR-Powered Flashcards Offer A Fresh Spin On Learning [Melnick]

On 03/18/2023, in 21st century, A/V -- audio/visual, art, assistive technologies, Augmented Reality (AR), creativity, education technology, memory, productivity / tips and tricks, special needs, tools, by Daniel Christian

This AR Art App Helps You Paint Giant Murals — from vrscout.com by Kyle Melnick

Here’s another interesting item along the lines of emerging technologies:

AR-Powered Flashcards Offer A Fresh Spin On Learning — from vrscout.com by Kyle Melnick

Excerpt:

Each SmartCard features a special marker that, when scanned with a tablet, unlocks informative virtual content students can interact with using basic hand gestures and buttons. According to its developers, Justin Nappi and Sudiksha Mallick, SmartCards can be especially useful for neurodivergent students, including those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, or dyslexia.

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day

On 03/18/2023, in accessibility / UDL, Bias | Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), global / globalization, society, sociology, special needs, by Daniel Christian

Join us to promote full inclusion on World Down Syndrome Day
21 March is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) as declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011.

On this day, people with Down syndrome and those who live and work with them throughout the world organise and participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome.

WDSD has an official website, created and updated by DSi, where we share global events and activities.

United Nations | March 21 2023 is World Down Syndrome Day — from un.org

Excerpt:

Down syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial (or whole) copy of chromosome 21. It is not yet know why this syndrome occurs, but Down syndrome has always been a part of the human condition. It exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics and health.

Adequate access to health care, to early intervention programmes, and to inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of the individual.

Also relevant/see:

What is Mosaic Down Syndrome?

Employment of people with disabilities surges to a record high amid remote work policies [thenationalnews.com]

On 03/02/2023, in Bias | Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), business, career development, corporate / business world, society, sociology, special needs, workplace, by Daniel Christian

Employment of people with disabilities surges to a record high amid remote work policies — from thenationalnews.com; with thanks to Robert Gibson on LinkedIn for this resource
Employment among disabled people in the US rose to 21.3% in 2022

Excerpt:

Daily tasks such as commuting and navigating an office space can be difficult for people depending on their disabilities. As companies adopted remote and hybrid work arrangements, more disabled people applied for and landed jobs — sometimes for the first time in years.

The recent push by companies urging workers to return to the office may threaten the gains made by disabled people, who comprise about 12 per cent of the population, according to the bureau. A report by the consulting firm McKinsey and Company published last June estimated that 35 per cent of companies offered a fully remote option.

Overall, disabled people are still less likely to be employed than their counterparts who don’t have disabilities, and they are twice as likely to be employed part-time, the BLS report said. They’re also more likely to be self-employed.

Google is making it easier to find out if places in the community are accessible to people with disabilities, all with the touch of a button. [Heasley]

On 02/23/2023, in accessibility / UDL, assistive technologies, Bias | Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), Google, special needs, by Daniel Christian

Google Enhances Accessibility Information — from disabilityscoop.com by Shaun Heasley

Excerpt (emphasis DSC):

Google is making it easier to find out if places in the community are accessible to people with disabilities, all with the touch of a button.

The company said recently that it is expanding a feature called “Accessible Places,” which allows Google Maps users to see if businesses are wheelchair accessible and free of stairs.

Google originally rolled out Accessible Places in 2020 in the U.S., Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom, but now says the option is available globally and includes details on more than 40 million locations.

Along the lines of accessibility-related items, see:

Over 11 Million Jobs in the U.S. May Exclude Color-Blind Persons — from billfischer.substack.com by Bill Fischer
Employing design solutions that involve text, pattern, and other types of visual differentiation besides color as well as developing color-identifying smart-glasses technology can start to break down occupational barriers for color-blind persons.

Excerpt:

Below is a list of occupations that require testing for color-blindness, divided into two categories: those in which design choices create challenges and those in which the issues are rooted in the natural environment.

Two items re: accessibility / inclusive design / special education

On 02/11/2023, in accessibility / UDL, Bias | Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), content development, aggregation, repositories, curriculum, education, special needs, vendors, by Daniel Christian

Imagine Learning Announces Major New Special Education Initiative — from businesswire.com; via GSV

Excerpt:

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the United States serving 15 million students in more than half the districts nationwide, today announced a major new initiative to address the urgent learning needs of more than seven million students with disabilities across the U.S.
…
Imagine Learning is also launching Imagine AscendTM, a new comprehensive solution for special education students that combines digital courseware with highly qualified virtual instructors. Imagine Ascend provides districts with a sustainable solution for staffing shortages and a scalable approach to increasing graduation rates, both critical needs of special education programs. The Imagine Ascend portfolio of curricula and services will support learners with accommodating instruction and help educators serve students with disabilities.

Learn Smarter Podcast — from learnsmarterpodcast.com

Somewhat along these lines…for some other resources related to the science of learning, see cogx.info’s research database:

Scientific Literature Supporting COGx Programs
COGx programs involve translation of research from over 500 scientific sources. The scientific literature below is a subset of the literature we have used and organized by subject area to facilitate access. In addition, we have worked directly with some of the authors of the scientific literature to help us translate and co-create our programs. Many of the scientific papers cited below were written by COGx Academic Partners.

Topics include:

- Information Processing
- Executive Function
- Long-Term Memory
- Metacognition
- Emotions & Engagement
- Cognitive Diversity

Also see:

USEFUL LEARNING WITH EFRAT FURST (S3E10) — from edcircuit.com with Efrat Furst, Tom Sherrington, and Emma Turner

College Guide for Students with Disabilities and Their Parents [ivypanda.com]

On 01/20/2023, in accessibility / UDL, Bias | Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), colleges, community colleges, higher education, IT in HE, law schools, special needs, UK, United States, universities, vendors, by Daniel Christian

College Guide for Students with Disabilities and Their Parents — from ivypanda.com; with thanks to Yvonne McQuarrie for this resource

Excerpt:

According to recent statistics, 18% of undergraduate and 12% of graduate students have temporary, relapsing, or long-term disabilities. Students might have noticeable disabilities, but many disorders are “hidden.” Luckily, modern colleges have many resources that allow people with disabilities to attend classes and thrive in their academic life. This guide will focus on the advice that can help students with disabilities successfully navigate their higher education.

Discovering Autism and Community Later in Life [Dater]

On 01/16/2023, in communities of practice, Emotion, hearts -- matters of the heart, parents/guardians, social learning / networks, society, special needs, student-related, teachers, by Daniel Christian

Discovering Autism and Community Later in Life — from aane.org by Brenda Dater, Executive Director

Excerpt:

This month we are discussing autism and aging. Many older adults in AANE’s community were children in the 1950s, 60s and 70s when the diagnosis of autism as we understand it today didn’t exist. Some were misdiagnosed with conditions like childhood schizophrenia, but many were just harmfully labeled as odd or having behavior problems. Because of the lack of awareness and understanding about autism, many have come to their diagnosis, or self-understanding, in their fifties, sixties, seventies and beyond, often after many years of being misunderstood or not fitting in at school, work, or socially. The stories they tell about feeling relief to have an explanation for their experience and finally…finally feeling like they belong warms my heart.

Digital Trends’ Tech For Change CES 2023 Awards [Prindle]

On 01/07/2023, in A/V -- audio/visual, accessibility / UDL, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning / Deep Learning / Algorithms, Asia, assistive technologies, business, global / globalization, productivity / tips and tricks, society, special needs, technologies for your home, technology (general), tools, user experience (UX), vendors, by Daniel Christian

Digital Trends’ Tech For Change CES 2023 Awards — from digitaltrends.com by Drew Prindle

Excerpt:

CES is more than just a neon-drenched show-and-tell session for the world’s biggest tech manufacturers. More and more, it’s also a place where companies showcase innovations that could truly make the world a better place — and at CES 2023, this type of tech was on full display. We saw everything from accessibility-minded PS5 controllers to pedal-powered smart desks. But of all the amazing innovations on display this year, these three impressed us the most…

Also relevant/see:

Digital Trends’ Top Tech of CES 2023 Awards — digitaltrends.com by Digital Trends Staff
From Autocycles to Flying Cars, the Wild Mobility Solutions on Display at CES 2023 — from singularityhub.com by Vanessa Bates Ramirez
This AI cloned my voice using just three minutes of audio — from digitaltrends.com by Drew Prindle

37 predictions about edtech’s impact in 2023 — from eschoolnews.com by Laura Ascione
What edtech trends will take top billing in schools and districts in the new year?

Excerpts:

School districts will begin to offer microschool options. With 65% of K-12 parents backing school choice, school districts will realize that in order to stay competitive and meet the needs of students and parents, adopting and offering innovative learning models is key. One of the shifts the industry can expect to see in the coming years is school districts offering mircoschool options within the district itself. While historically independent learning institutions, microschools will be adopted within school districts that are responsive to this need for choice and evolving learning needs of students.
—Carlos Bortoni, Principal, Industry Advisor, K-12 Education, Qualtrics
…
In 2023, educators nationwide will benefit from the most recent wave of edtech consolidation. The various services and products acquired by consolidators over the last year or two will be integrated into increasingly comprehensive platforms offering instructional content, assessments, and classroom tools all in one place. As this occurs, the power and effectiveness of those edtech resources will grow as they begin to work in concert with each other seamlessly. The combination of these resources will empower administrators, teachers, families, and students to better leverage edtech’s ability to improve learning.
–Kelli Campbell, President, Discovery Education

From DSC:
Vision is key here…not just data. If data provided all of the answers, being an effective, impactful leader/administrator would be far easier.

Also from Laura Ascione, see:

Most high school grads feel their skills aren’t up to par — from eschoolnews.com
Family, friends, and educators help students make decisions, develop confidence, and identify personal aptitudes as they leave high school

Learning Ecosystems

Two items re: digital accessibility

Neurodivergent Students Need Flexibility, Not Our Frustration [Rose Guest Pryal]

This AR Art App Helps You Paint Giant Mural [Melnick] + AR-Powered Flashcards Offer A Fresh Spin On Learning [Melnick]

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day

Employment of people with disabilities surges to a record high amid remote work policies [thenationalnews.com]

Google is making it easier to find out if places in the community are accessible to people with disabilities, all with the touch of a button. [Heasley]

Two items re: accessibility / inclusive design / special education

College Guide for Students with Disabilities and Their Parents [ivypanda.com]

Digital Trends’ Tech For Change CES 2023 Awards [Prindle]

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