The need for digital accessibility in education
More than ever, schools and higher educational establishments rely on digital resources to enhance the learning experience. From watching enticing videos in class, to filling in homework through e-learning environments, or searching and applying for a course, the majority of information relies on digital technology being accessible. With over 1.5 million pupils in England alone requiring additional support within the education sector, which is an increase of 87,000 from 2022, it’s time to ensure that every student has equal access to education.
Unfortunately, there are a plethora of accessibility barriers in education, which take a variety of forms. This can sometimes be due to a lack of funding to get the right technology in place for students. However, more often, it is because of a lack of understanding about what is needed to be inclusive. This results in many young people missing out on their education and being left behind in society.
Sadly, people with disabilities are the ones most impacted by poor digital accessibility. Disabled people face difficulties due to:
- The hardware or software that they are using being incompatible with assistive technologies.
- Because of a lack of available accessibility features on websites and documents.
- How content is presented, such as a lack of captions on videos or providing learning resources which aren’t structured in an inclusive way.
Education is a fundamental human right and everyone should have an equal opportunity to learn. The good news is there are many ways that educational establishments can remove digital obstacles to ensure that they are providing an inclusive learning experience. This is what the Education 4 All campaign strives to achieve, by raising awareness and sharing best digital accessibility practices to give institutions the knowledge and skills needed, so that every student has access to education.
Find out more about the campaign
