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While most schools are returning to in-person learning, some are staying remote for the time being. Others are offering hybrid options. Remote learning has its positives and negatives for everyone, but for children with disabilities, there can be a few extra challenges to consider.
To make education more accessible for everyone, it’s important to understand those challenges. The more we recognize what children with disabilities have to overcome to learn remotely, the sooner those challenges can be addressed and remedied.
What Are the Greatest Challenges?
Remote learning requires some patience for any child. Some of the most common challenges children face when going to school online include:
- Multiple distractions
- Staying motivated
- Technical problems
- Cybersecurity
Accessibility is an even greater issue. Children with disabilities have to face all of these challenges and more as they navigate the remote waters. Some of those additional challenges include limited forms of representation, singular means of expression, and a lack of communication. Depending on the disability a child may have, something as “simple” as navigating a website or Zoom call can be difficult.
Adding top the challenges, some children with disabilities might not always reach out for help when they need it. Problems like cyberbullying or the fear of falling behind are very real for kids of all ages and abilities. Unless you, as a parent or educator, recognize a problem, you may not even know a child is struggling.
How You Can Help
Thankfully, you can do things to make a remote learning environment more accessible and inclusive for everyone. If you’re not sure how to get started, it can help to ask yourself some of the following questions:
- Can you create a distraction-free space for home learning?
- What accommodations will your child need to learn remotely?
- How will you gain access to those accommodations?
- Will your child still need in-person interaction?
It can also help to create a sensory-friendly space if a child is dealing with sensory sensitivity. It’s important that they feel completely safe and as comfortable as possible, no matter where they’re learning. A sensory-friendly room can include things like large pillows, therapy balls, weighted blankets, and fidget items. Having things for a child to do while ensuring they are safe and protected can make all the difference in their learning habits.
Remote learning is here to stay for some people. Many students won’t ever go back to in-person learning. Others may stick with the remote lifestyle for a while before deciding to go back. If you choose that option for your child with disabilities, make sure it’s truly what’s best for them. Children with disabilities have different learning styles, just like every other child. When you know a child is comfortable, you can focus on their individual learning style while making their remote experience more accessible. Some of the best practices for remote learning with children who have disabilities include:
- Offering content in multiple ways
- Providing one-on-one communication
- Keeping things organized and structured
- Making navigation consistent
Awareness and training are two more major factors when it comes to helping children with disabilities succeed in remote learning. Whether you’re a parent or educator, advocating to make remote learning more accessible is the best place to start. The more people are aware of the challenges these kids have to face, the sooner more accessible options can be put in place to help them achieve greater success.
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