“Learning in the Dark” Simulation to Teach about Accessibility

Abstract

The purpose of this instructor-led lesson is to raise preservice teachers’ awareness of the significance of accessibility in PK-12 education. In the lesson, students develop empathy to understand the experiences of learners with vision-related disabilities through a simulation activity and competencies to achieve accessibility in their specific teaching contexts. Multimedia and open educational resources are utilized to introduce accessibility, inclusive education, Universal Design for Learning, assistive technology, and accessibility evaluation. Students participate in several learning activities, such as a collaborative document to identify effective technologies to address accessibility issues faced by learners with disabilities and an e-portfolio assessment to evaluate the accessibility of e-learning tools in PK-12 classrooms.