Internet Accessibility for the Learning Impaired
The Internet is a tremendous source for information and while website designers spend a great deal of time focusing on those with physical handicaps, very often the needs of the learning impaired are overlooked. Ironically, the learning impaired make up a far greater percentage of the general population than those who are physically challenged. Further, those with learning disabilities find themselves trapped in an intolerable prison. In general, the world can recognize those who are visually, physically or aurally challenged. Learning disabilities often go undiagnosed. Instead, anti-social tendencies are attributed to behavioral issues rather than the deeper problems of a frustrated learner.
Designing Web Content For the Learning Disabled
Unlike designing for physical challenges, designing web content for the learning impaired does not have a series of hard and fast rules. Because of the diverse nature of learning disabilities, there is no one size fits all solution. Essentially, the web designer for the learning impaired must take into account all learning disabilities from ADHD to Dyslexia. This presents a series of unique challenges and may explain why there are so few standards for designing these sites. The box on the right contains just a few tips for designing websites for the learning impaired.
While there are a few resources available for designing websites for the learning impaired such as this article by Roger Hudson, Russ Weakley, and Peter Firminger. There are far more websites available which explain methods for teaching those with learning disabilities.
This website, created by the University of Washington, provides a series of overall guidelines along with a searchable database for educators. The website includes all types of disabilities and is simply written and well laid out.
The Teaching Channel is a great resource. It is quite simply a "You Tube" for teachers, which includes all types of videos on various teaching techniques. This video on teaching children with ADHD is just one of a number of well-made videos on this website.
No list of resources for learning disabilities would be complete without including the National Center for Learning Disabilities website. This is a one stop site which provides not only great descriptions and discussions of different types of learning disabilities, but also strategies for identifying and coping with them.
As individuals, we can simulate various physical challenges. While such simulations fall short of actually living with the challenge, blindness and the lack of hearing can be imagined. However, there is simply no way that we can simulate living within the prison of one's own mind. As educators, we must be constantly aware that the intelligence of our students is not equal. This being said, we owe it to the students to facilitate their learning experience. Thomas Jefferson was dyslexic. It is thought that Albert Einstein suffered from Asperger's Syndrome. Jules Verne complained of the inability to focus and is thought to have had ADHD. These individuals were able to cope with their learning disabilities and go on to accomplish great things. The next great mind of the 21st century may be the most unruly student in our classroom. We owe it to them, and to the world, to provide access to all the information that the World Wide Web contains.
