Digital Promise Signature Workspace

Supports for Learners with Disabilities in a Distance Learning Context

Providing supports and accommodations for learners with disabilities is often necessary for them to succeed in a virtual or distance learning context. This Workspace recommends strategies to adjust practice for Learners with Disabilities in this context.

attention and memory supports

Accessible Vocabulary & Syntax

Math 3-6

Teachers support language development by using and providing vocabulary and syntax that is appropriately leveled (e.g., using simple sentences when introducing complex concepts).

Gestures

Math 3-6

Adding motions to complement learning activates more cognitive processes for recall and understanding.

Graphic Organizer

Literacy 4-6

Visualizing how ideas fit together helps students construct meaning and strengthens their recall.

Mnemonic Device

Math 3-6

A mnemonic device is a creative way to support memory for new information using connections to current knowledge, for example by creating visuals, acronyms, or rhymes.

Brief Instruction Steps

Literacy 4-6

Content that is provided in clear, short chunks can support students' Working Memory.

Movement Breaks

Math 3-6

Brain breaks that include movement allow learners to refresh their thinking and focus on learning new information.

Multimodal Instruction

Literacy 4-6

Instruction in multiple formats allows students to activate different cognitive skills to understand and remember the steps they are to take in their literacy work.

reading supports

Rich Library: Complexity

Literacy PK-3

Books of varying complexity and reading levels are necessary for all students to experience reading success.

Rereading

Literacy PK-3

Students build their confidence and skills by reading and rereading books.

Text-to-speech Software

Literacy PK-3

Providing tools so learners can choose to listen to a text supports individual strengths and needs.

Visual Reading Aids

Literacy PK-3

Visual supports, like text magnification, colored overlays, and guided reading strips, help students focus and properly track as they read.

math supports

Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA)

Math 3-6

CRA is a sequential instructional approach during which students move from working with concrete materials to creating representational drawings to using abstract symbols.

Creating Visual Representations

Math 3-6

Students activate more cognitive processes by exploring and representing their understandings in visual form.

Multiple Representations: Manipulatives

Math 3-6

Providing physical and virtual representations of numbers and math concepts helps activate mental processes.

writing supports

Checklists & Rubrics

Literacy 4-6

Checklists and rubrics help students develop their abilities to self-assess and revise their writing.

Dictation/Speech-to-text

Literacy 4-6

Dictation, also referred to as speech-to-text, an assistive communication technology that translates voice dictation to digital text, provides students with transcription difficulties the opportunity to participate in the writing process by allowing them to use their voice to generate and record ideas.

Sentence Frames

Literacy 4-6

Sentence frames or stems provide language support for students' writing and participation in academic discussions.

Word Processing

Literacy 4-6

Research has shown that students write longer pieces with stronger quality when they use word processing software.