In an article published by Disability Scoop, the US Department of Education has offered guidance to educators across the nation on how to handle the needs of students with disabilities.
The article notes:
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued a webinar and fact sheet this week for education leaders aimed at ensuring that students’ civil rights are upheld while schools are closed due to COVID-19.
The webinar reminds school officials that distance learning must be accessible unless “equally effective alternate access is provided.”
Online learning tools should be compatible with any assistive technology that students use and schools must regularly test their online offerings for accessibility, the Education Department said.
- Read the OCR Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students – PDF
- Link to YouTube video: OCR Short Webinar on Online Education and Website Accessibility
- Link to DisabilityScoop article – Ed Department Offers More Special Education Guidance Amid COVID-19