Designing Accessible Classrooms

Designing for hearing loss & Blindness

Individual Spaces

Math PK-2

Having space where students can go supports Self-regulation and individual deliberate practice.

Multimodal Instruction
Math PK-2

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

Quiet Classroom/Pockets of Quiet
Math PK-2

Decreasing extra audio input provides a focused learning environment.

Rich Resources: Audio & Braille

Math PK-2

Math games and manipulatives for vision differences support math development for learners with visual needs.

Sensory Stimulation
Math PK-2

Incorporating multiple senses with strategies like chewing gum, using a vibrating pen, and sitting on a ball chair supports focus and Attention.

Text-to-speech Software

Math PK-2

Transforming written text into audio activates different parts of the brain to support learning.

Uncluttered Environment
Math PK-2

Spaces that are structured, organized, and clean provide increased room for collaboration and active learning.

Visual Reading Aids

Math PK-2

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

Encourage Student Self-advocacy
Literacy PK-3

Actively and authentically encouraging all students to seek support, ask questions, and advocate for what they believe in creates a safe space for risk-taking and skill development and supports a Sense of Belonging.

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.

Designing for intellectual & Learning Disabilities

Graphic Organizer
Literacy 4-6

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

Creating Visuals

Literacy 4-6

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

Predictability: Environment & Structure
Literacy PK-3

Maintaining consistent classroom routines and schedules ensures that students are able to trust and predict what will happen next.

Pictures & Visuals

Literacy 4-6

Visuals help students recognize relationships within words and sentences to develop literacy skills.

Story Map

Literacy PK-3

Providing a story map ahead of time or having students create a map during or after reading helps learners understand and practice Narrative Skills.

Sound-blocking Devices

Math PK-2

Using earplugs or headphones can increase focus and comfort.

Prompt Cards

Math PK-2

Cards with strategies for managing emotions help students remember how to act when faced with strong feelings.

Quiet Environment/Pockets of Quiet
Literacy 4-6

Decreasing extra audio input provides a focused learning environment.

Mindfulness Activities

Math PK-2

Through short but regular mindfulness activities, students develop their awareness and ability to focus.

Designing for Physical disabilities

Composition Projects: Multimodal
Literacy 4-6

Expressing ideas through visuals and audio, and understanding others' ideas in these forms, is as critical in today's world as traditional reading and writing.

Encourage Student Self-advocacy

Literacy 4-6

Actively and authentically encouraging all students to seek support, ask questions, and advocate for what they believe in creates a safe space for risk-taking and skill development and supports a Sense of Belonging.

Movement Breaks
Literacy PK-3

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.

Mobility & Flexibility

Literacy PK-3

Multiple tables and chairs on wheels allow for setting up the classroom to support the desired learning outcomes of each classroom activity.

Incorporate Students' Cultural Practices
Literacy 4-6

Learning about students' cultures and connecting them to instructional practices helps foster a sense of belonging and mitigate Stereotype Threat.

Learning Strategy & Tool "Fair"

Literacy PK-3

To promote acceptance of learning diversity, students explore learning tools and strategies to see how they work and why they and others might use them.