Access Tips for Non-Traditional or Remote Instruction
As the precautionary measures against COVID-19 have taken over our traditional way of living and learning, we must all adapt to new methods for delivering effective instruction. In this expedited transition to non-traditional learning through paper packets and a variety of online methods, the challenge to adequately and legally meet the educational access needs of our students with disabilities has become a matter of priority and not just convenience.
There are an immeasurable number of technological resources that are now available and beneficial for providing online instruction. However, if the method does not provide equal access to all of your learners then the instructor would be denying a free, appropriate education. This would mean that any methods of instruction that would not be accessible to all of your students, would not be the right method or tool of instruction unless alternate tools will ensure accessibility. The information provided here is an attempt to highlight strategies to ensure accessibility for students with hearing loss.
**NOTE: If instruction is being provided online, it must be accessible to all student of the class. For example, if a teacher is teaching using an online platform such as Zoom to meet with or teach students and a student in the class normally has an interpreter to access instruction through American Sign Language (ASL), then an interpreter must be provided for the online experience.
Make it Visual!!
For individuals with hearing loss, visual access is key. Whether a student is deaf, relying on visual communication, or has limited hearing, and is afforded equal access through visual aids, the ability to access information visually is the primary idea that should drive your online teaching plans.
There is no shortage of online platforms that can use video and many of these services offer additional features to increase visual access.
Use of interpreters for sign communicators ensures access
Some general ideas to use interpreters through NTI:
Interpreters could be shown on screen simultaneously with a teacher or in separate videos.
For many deaf kids, their families can’t or have very limited communication, so having the opportunity for students to connect with adult signers could provide meaningful conversation and mental health support!
Create videos with NTI assignment instructions and examples.
Have them read books ! These could be recorded and questions could be embedded to follow.
Create vocabulary videos for reviewing vocabulary or teaching new terms such as signs for terminology around COVID-19 and even student appropriate updates.
Think “Language Building” activities…this could take on a variety of forms depending on the ages/abilities.
Captioning
Live, Trained Captioning
Computer Captioning
Webcaptioner.com - online, free captioning site. Automatically captions what is picked up through your computer speakers
Streamer - offers monthly or annual subscriptions with guarantee to collect your data. Can be integrated into with Zoom.
Google Hangouts Meet - offers a Closed Captioning tool during Hangout sessions if you are logged in through the Google Chrome browser
Google Slides - offers a Closed Captioning tool for presentations if you are logged in through the Google Chrome browser
Google Docs - document can be shared and can caption text within a document, filling the page (good if you are only showing text, but not the best choice for online presenting
To be fair, Microsoft offers some online transcribing tools as well. Any transcription service that can be shown on your screen, should be able to display if you are presenting your screen.
Device Based Captioning Software
While captioning to a separate screen is not ideal, there are apps that allow one person to "broadcast" a transcription of what is being said in one location, and students from a different location can "receive" the transcription using either the same app or from a designated web address.
Live Transcribe (Android)
iCantHear (iPhone, Chrome Browser)
Ava (iPhone, Android)
The Described Captioning and Media Program (DCMP) is available free for teachers of and families of children that are d/hh. They offer thousands of online educational videos with captioning. www.dcmp.org
Avoid or Increase Time Limits
Deaf and hard of hearing students often required additional time to complete tasks, especially if the task is timed. These students often need to take additional steps to access and gather information. Needing additional processing time is also warranted.
Consider Alternative Completion Requirements
This is specific to the needs of each individual, but especially for written assignments, written assignments can sometimes be a barrier to individuals whose primary language is something other than English. Consider alternative presentations options such as an "oral" presentation, where the student would sign and an interpreter would voice their presentation.
Resources Specific to Students with Hearing Loss
Teaching Remotely to DHH Students
https://www.asldeafined.com/ to assist in continuing/developing asl skills and/or vocabulary. Also to assist families in signing with deaf children/family.
SignOn with ASDC - Practice learning ASL with Deaf adults for free - American Society for Deaf Children
Aunt Alice's ASL TV (YouTube)
Other Resources
Printable At-Home Activity Packs
Khan Academy - a free resource for students, teachers, and parents.
LIST OF EDUCATION COMPANIES OFFERING FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSINGS
www.switcheroozoo.com Watch, listen, and play games to learn all about amazing animals.
www.funbrain.com Play games while practicing math and reading skills.
www.kids.nationalgeographic.com Learn all about geography and fascinating animals!
www.pbs.org Hang out with your favorite characters all while learning.
www.starfall.com Practice your phonics skills with these read-along stories!
www.seussville.com Read, play games, and hang out with Dr. Seuss and his friends!
www.storyonline.net Have some of your favorite stories read to you by movie stars!
www.abcya.com Practice math and reading skills all while playing fun games!
www.highlightskids.com Read, play games, and conduct cool science experiments!
Free Virtual Learning Resources Center - 20 days of free lesson plans for PreK-9 https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html?promo_code=6294&eml=CM/smd/20200312//txtl/sm/ed&linkId=84269747&fbclid=IwAR0Jq2qDXrQa7t0dm9vy4YOe6KkKibEgosCIq88KHr7fH1r9l7AHEbaQ-Gk
Free Virtual Tours of 12 Famous Museums across the world. https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social-share-article&utm_content=20200313&fbclid=IwAR36OqgJ1iYSHLU3iHIUnL1Ru54dCFYg3y4-meQlRGNQUUZLJsJcFVhuF1o
A variety of resources to work with your child during school closings.
Math:
Reading:
Science:
Writing:
Resources for Parents
Copy of Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U7YEAxe1GEgkR6TBAuxP1zi2SqV9zbmHrjx9B_z9adI/edit#gid=0
45 activities to do with your family during the time off from school
KCDHH offers free iPads or iPhones (for communication access) to children with a hearing loss age 13 and older https://www.kcdhh.ky.gov/