The Importance of Accessibility in Assessment

Accessibility is the quality of being usable and reachable by a wide variety of populations, regardless of background, status, abilities, race, and gender.

Assessment is the process of collecting information on student achievement and performance that includes a variety of assessment tasks designed to monitor and improve student learning. It is the evidence of student learning (Alberta Assessment Consortium, 2016).

Accessibility and assessment are foundational to building an equitable educational system where each individual has the chance to reach their potential.  Since assessment is an essential component that reflects student learning, accessibility ensures that students are provided with multiple ways to successfully convey their knowledge to educators.