How can you make sure your students with disabilities have equal access to quizzes and tests?

A empatia é a chave para uma educação inclusiva. Ao nos colocarmos no lugar de estudantes com deficiências, podemos ajustar nossas metodologias para abranger as suas necessidades específicas. Sondar essas necessidades vai além de documentos formais. É um processo contínuo que envolve observação, diálogo e a disposição para adaptar. Questione, colha feedback sistemático e esteja disposto a transformar insights em ações concretas.

In my experience, getting to know students with disabilities and maintaining an open and frank dialogue with the student's family goes a long way toward understanding each individual student's needs. It is helpful to know and research Universal Design for Learning because it provides useful tools for understanding the needs of students with disabilities, such as the use of easy-to-read text for students with Down Syndrome.

In my experience, direct communication with students about their specific challenges is key. Beyond IEPs and formal documents, engaging in open discussions can uncover unique insights, leading to more personalized and effective support.

At PhysicsWallah, we prioritize inclusivity by offering accessible features such as screen reader compatibility, customizable exam settings, and alternative formats for questions. Additionally, we collaborate with educators to tailor accommodations based on individual needs, ensuring a level playing field for all students. We go beyond standard accommodations and provide color contrast settings & working on features like extended time options, keyboard shortcuts. We actively seek feedback from students with disabilities to continuously improve accessibility. We aim to make learning experiences truly inclusive, fostering an environment where every student can succeed.

I have been training students in tech domain like Robotics, Drones etc. one thing that I have noticed is, that every child has a different way to understand things, and they are passionate towards learning a certain tech. Similarly for children with dissabilities, there could various methods be implemented to give them equal access to Quizes and tests. In my opinion, below are some of the best proven methods 1. Assistive Technology like Screen Reader, Text to Speech, Assistive Devices 2. Training for Educators: Educators should receive training on inclusive practices and accommodations. Regularly update teachers on new technologies and strategies to support students with disabilities. The trainers have to be passionate.

One thing I’ve found helpful is to involve students in the platform selection process. Their firsthand experiences can guide us towards choosing tools that are not just compliant with accessibility standards but also genuinely user-friendly from their perspective.

I am a user of Moodle, Microsoft and to a lesser extent Google, and although they are platforms that meet accessibility guidelines, it is good to know the guidelines ourselves, as teachers. If teachers research and get trained in accessibility guidelines for web and digital content, it will be of great help to them, when editing their own content and even correcting content that is shared among teachers. In addition, knowing which of these platforms students are comfortable with helps teachers a lot. I myself have a course where I explain, in Spanish, how to create accessible documents.

A seleção de uma plataforma de testes compatível com as necessidades de todos os alunos é vital. Ferramentas como Google Forms e Microsoft Forms, que seguem as diretrizes WCAG, são exemplos de escolhas responsáveis. Ao mesmo tempo, é fundamental garantir que estas plataformas não sejam apenas tecnicamente acessíveis, mas também intuitivas. Encorajo a formação de grupos focais de alunos, incluindo aqueles com desafios de aprendizado, para avaliar e escolher essas ferramentas.

As a Google School, the Google Classroom feature is fantastic. We can utilise a Universal Design for Learning Approach and interact with quizzes via fors, and video content and mark and assess using Rubrics to save on teaching time. This allows all learners to adapt and thrive. No matter the ability

Que las plataformas cuenten con diferentes sistemas que permitan que los estudiantes puedan realizar los exámenes conforme a sus necesidades.

Adotar o design universal é adotar a diversidade como nossa norma. Significa criar avaliações que não apenas cumpram requisitos técnicos de acessibilidade, mas que ofereçam múltiplas maneiras para os estudantes demonstrarem seu conhecimento. Isso pode incluir respostas escritas, orais, ou até demonstrações práticas, quando aplicável. O design universal é um convite à inovação pedagógica, à criação de conteúdos ricos e experiências de aprendizagem envolventes que beneficiem a todos.

The use of Universal Design for Learning is extremely important to give our students with disabilities online quizzes and tests that they can navigate, understand and respond to. The use of pictograms for students with cognitive disabilities, the use of audio or video with audio description for blind students, videos with captioning or sign language interpreter, respecting the signs of each country, for deaf students, are some examples of accessibility that can be used in quizzes and tests, and give students with disabilities the same opportunities to progress as students without disabilities.

Ensure equal test access for students with disabilities by offering materials in various formats, clear instructions, and flexible timing. Provide alternative assessment methods, ensure compatibility with assistive tech, and create physically accessible environments. Use captioned multimedia, read-aloud options, and consider communication preferences. Collaborate with support services to tailor accommodations, fostering an inclusive testing environment.

Applying universal design principles isn't just about accessibility; it's about inclusivity. By offering diverse content presentation methods, we cater not only to students with disabilities but to all learners, enhancing the overall educational experience.

As mentioned already the UDL approach is embedded across our OUTSTANDING school. The pupils have digital access via Chromebooks and love the way they can digitally adapt their own learning taking Student Agency into lessons.

A avaliação da acessibilidade e eficácia dos questionários e testes não deve ser um episódio isolado, mas um processo cíclico de melhoria contínua. Envolver os alunos no teste dessas avaliações gera um feedback valioso que pode levar a ajustes significativos. Ferramentas como WAVE e rubricas como Quality Matters são excelentes, mas a interação humana e o bom senso pedagógico são insubstituíveis na identificação de barreiras sutis.

There are many things that can be done to validate the questionnaires, it is good to have a group of users with disabilities who can analyze and verify the tests. Also have a group of support teachers, with whom you can share updated information on accessible tests.

One time at work, I introduced a peer-review system for quizzes. Students, including those with disabilities, were invited to review and provide feedback on quizzes before they were finalised. This practice led to more accessible and universally appreciated assessments.

I love engaging with quizzes and tests. Google Forms is a brilliant way to engage in end-of-term topic tests. The Import Marks feature saves on assessment time also. Kahoot is brilliant but can be a loud atmosphere within the classroom as pupils battle for success.

Absolutely, testing and evaluating online quizzes and tests are crucial steps in ensuring their accessibility, functionality, and usability.

I think it is necessary for schools to provide training spaces for teachers on accessibility issues, many times due to the academic load, it is difficult for them to do research or self-learning, especially in Latin America, where there can be more than 30 students in the same classroom.

By prioritizing inclusivity, support, and collaboration, educators can create an environment where all students feel empowered to engage in quizzes and tests confidently and successfully. This not only enhances the assessment experience but also contributes to a more enriching and fulfilling educational journey for everyone involved.

Necesitamos más tiempo dentro de la jornada para probar e implementar tanto metodologías como procesos nuevos para actualizar los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Hay muchos profes con ganas pero sin tiempo para el ensayo-error

Consider the evolving nature of technology and student needs. Regularly updating and adapting our methods ensures that we stay ahead in providing an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students, especially those with disabilities.

É fundamental manter um olhar atento às rápidas evoluções tecnológicas e aos emergentes desafios de acessibilidade. Devemos estar em constante aprendizado, atualizando nosso conhecimento e estratégias para não apenas estar em conformidade com os padrões atuais, mas para antecipar as necessidades futuras dos alunos. Práticas inclusivas precisam evoluir com nosso entendimento sobre deficiência e tecnologia, garantindo que a igualdade de acesso seja mantida como um alvo em movimento e não como uma conquista estática.