CITES Virtual Learning Project
- The CITES Virtual Learning Project provides promising practices related to educating and supporting students with disabilities and their families in online learning programs. Central to this work was identifying what technologies students and teachers use in these settings and how students receive support when they require assistive technology (AT) to access instruction.
Education leaders must consider how to meet the needs of students who require assistive technologies (AT) and accessible educational materials (AEM) to access their learning. In fact, federal law requires that students with disabilities can “acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services” as students who do not have disabilities “in an equally integrated and equally effective manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use.” (Joint Letter, U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education, June 29, 2010) and supported by the 2011 FAQs.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES), in partnership with multiple districts, developed a framework of evidence-based practices to enhance the use of technology to support each student’s success.
This work included research related to supporting students with disabilities in online programs. Check out a data-driven report, Virtual Learning Project Summary, and detailed overviews of 5 distinct Virtual Programs
CITES Virtual Learning Resources
- Aligning IT, AT, & Accessibility for Virtual Learning
- Family Engagement in Virtual Learning
- IEP/504 Plans in Virtual Learning
- Leadership to Support Students with Disabilities in Virtual Learning
- Professional Learning: Accessibility and Assistive Devices in Virtual Environments
Learn More about Inclusive Technology Practices
- Videos: Building a Foundation for Inclusive Technology Systems Videos Series
- Webpage: Glossary
- Podcast S.02, Ep.09: Emphasizing Accessibility in Virtual Learning Programs, Accessible Learning Experience Podcast, AEM Center at CAST
Inclusive Tech Practices in Action
- Personalize Learning Devices: Fairfax County Public School
- Unify Inclusive Technology Decision-Making: Tigard-Tualatin
- Provide Accessible Educational Materials Francis Howell, MO
- Engage Families in Infrastructure: Hampton Township, PA
- Accessible Educational Materials Considerations and District Procurement Examples
IT and AT Leaders Community of Practice
Join an engaged community of practice to connect with district professionals looking to create a more inclusive technology ecosystem. https://cites.cast.org/more/community-of-practice
