Physical disabilities can become major barriers to learning and because of this, people with disabilities are often at a disadvantage when it comes to studying in traditional classroom-based schools. There are many kinds of disabilities and they vary from student to student. Their individual experiences will have a lot of implications regarding education and these can help our educators formulate the right approach to develop educational programs in general and online study programs in particular. People with disabilities are always faced with challenges no so much different from other people but it is in their capacity to respond where the real difference exist. It is in this regard where online study programs can truly help them as it will be easier to make adjustments and in consideration of their limited abilities, provide them with the best educational programs we can offer.
It is the responsibility of our educators to provide people with disabilities the means to overcome these barriers to learning. There are several factors to consider when establishing policies, methodologies and procedures regarding these means. It is important to provide them with easy physical access to our educational system, and this could include offering more courses in online study programs and curriculum. There must be program to spread awareness of their needs and their experiences in overcoming their physical limitations. It is also important to recognize that no amount of efforts to provide them with easier access and increase other people’s awareness of their experiences if those who need to be involved do not accept the fact that some things need to be done differently, in a non-traditional way. This has direct implication to online study programs as by nature, this type of education is very non-traditional. In addition, we must also learn to appreciate that the hidden experiences of people with disabilities such as physical pain, emotional stress and exhaustion will somehow take their toll on them. These considerations can help us to remove or minimize the barriers to learning.
Our educational institutions must be encouraged to offer more online study programs designed for people with disabilities. The considerations mentioned above should serve as guidelines on how to establish such programs. This concept is not exactly new as there are plenty of sources available in the internet, itself the primary tool for online courses, about standards and guidelines, good practices, and legislation concerning disabled persons.
Online study courses are advantageous to all people with or without disabilities. However, they have more impact and benefits to those with disabilities as online learning allows for more convenience and flexibility. Using computers and having access to the internet and web-based contents, students don’t have to go to brick and mortar classrooms. Students don’t have to travel and spend for transportation, go through tiring long distance just to attend classes. They don’t have to worry about school facilities that don’t provide access to disabled persons, and they don’t have to make special arrangements with school administrators if they don’t offer such access and accommodations. Students with disabilities on online study programs can stay at home, set up their room as they please, and work on the lessons at the most convenient time for them.
Online learning is flexible and because of this inherent characteristic, a lesson can be presented in a number of means in digital format. A reading lesson for example, can be made available as text in a document or as an audio file. A student can either listen or read the assignment in the computer in whatever format he or she is comfortable with. The student can use other assistive learning programs to assist him or her in the task. A simple reading assignment can actually be enhanced and made interactive by adding graphics, background music, videos with subtitles or captions, and other digital embellishments.
The benefits we will get for providing online study opportunities for people with disabilities can last a lifetime. They can use the skills and knowledge they acquire to become qualified for employment in any industry where they want to work.
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