Each July, Disability Pride Month invites us to recognize and celebrate the diversity, strength, and resilience of individuals with disabilities. July marks the anniversary of the 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by addressing various barriers to access and participation. While the ADA was a significant step towards equity for the disability community, many people with disabilities still face barriers to being fully included and valued.
Disability Pride Month reminds us all to reflect on how we can build more inclusive, equitable spaces and communities, and that includes the ways we deliver education. At VHS Learning, we believe that accessibility goes beyond ADA compliance––accessibility is empowerment. Online learning can help remove some of the common barriers that learners with disabilities face, while also improving learning opportunities for all students.
An Alternative for Neurodivergent Learners
For neurodivergent students, the traditional school setting can sometimes pose unique challenges. Bright lights, loud noises, unpredictable schedules, and rigid classroom rules can make it difficult for neurodivergent learners to focus, participate, or feel comfortable. Online learning provides an alternative, allowing students to work in an environment that better suits their needs.
In a virtual classroom, students can control their surroundings, enabling them to create an environment that is comfortable and allows them to focus. They can revisit materials as often as needed, work at their own pace, and take as many breaks as they need to reset and regulate.
Additionally, VHS Learning courses are designed with accessibility in mind. From clear course navigation and visual supports to varied ways of interacting with content, our platform helps remove barriers to learning for students with diverse needs and learning styles.
Supporting Students with Chronic Health Conditions
Some students live with chronic illnesses or disabilities that make school attendance difficult. For some of these learners, online learning can provide a lifeline and help them maintain a more stable learning schedule.
Medical appointments, discomfort, and fatigue can interfere with a student’s ability to attend in-person classes consistently, putting their academic success at risk. With online learning, students can complete their online coursework at home when needed but stay enrolled and involved at their traditional school. This allows students to stay connected to their local peers, school community, and extracurricular opportunities, while offering flexibility when they need it.
VHS Learning’s asynchronous model gives students the flexibility to complete coursework on their own schedules. Course content is available online 24/7, making it easier for students to manage their own time and stay on track. This level of flexibility and choice allows learners to continue their education with dignity and autonomy, even in the face of ongoing health challenges.
Online Courses That Promote Inclusion
Accessibility in education is not just about ADA compliance; it’s also about creating learning opportunities that empower students to be more inclusive in their lives beyond the classroom. At VHS Learning, we offer a robust catalog of American Sign Language (ASL) courses, including:
These courses give students from a variety of backgrounds an opportunity to explore ASL––not only as a language, but also as a cultural experience. Learning to communicate through ASL is a meaningful way for students to practice inclusivity and become active members of the Deaf community.
For Deaf students or students with hearing loss may not have had previous opportunities to learn ASL, these courses can help deepen communication skills to connect with more of their community. For hearing students, learning ASL promotes empathy, awareness, and inclusivity, and can lead to a variety of future college majors and professions centered around disability, accessibility, and language.
Online Learning Expands Learning Opportunities
Disability Pride Month gives us a dedicated month to celebrate diversity and focus on accessibility, but our commitment to inclusion lasts year-round. Every student deserves a learning environment that suits their needs, supports their goals, and celebrates who they are. At VHS Learning, we are continually working to expand access, improve flexibility, and offer courses that reflect the diverse interests, experiences, and abilities of our students.