Back-to-school prep shouldn’t just mean fresh paint and stocked supplies. For students with disabilities, it means removing barriers to learning and belonging. True access is about more than physical space—it’s about making sure every student feels included, supported, and valued. Here are 10 ways schools can make that happen:
1. Audit Physical & Digital Access
Check ramps, elevators, and hallways for clear paths. Review websites, portals, and e-learning tools against WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards. Add captions, alt text, and screen-reader compatibility before day one.
2. Offer Learning Materials in Multiple Formats
Students learn best when materials are available in formats they can use. Have braille, large print, audio, and captioned versions of key content ready. This makes learning meaningful and equitable for everyone.
3. Train Staff in Disability Inclusion & Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Research shows fewer than 1 in 5 general education teachers feel “very well prepared” to support disabled students (Chu et al., 2020). Provide training on inclusive teaching, assistive tech, and respectful communication—ideally led by people with lived experience.
4. Build Flexible Schedules & Accommodations
Flexibility is vital to creating access. Support students with chronic illness or mental health needs by offering rest breaks, flexible deadlines, hybrid options, and adjusted workloads. Remote or hybrid learning options should also be available where possible, so participation doesn’t depend on physical attendance.
5. Ensure Accessible Transportation
Provide wheelchair-accessible buses, paratransit, and trained drivers so all students can get to school safely and with dignity.
6. Create Sensory-Friendly Spaces
Offer quiet rooms where students can recharge without stigma. Take a step further to ensure these spaces are accessible without requiring excessive permissions.
7. Make Extracurriculars Inclusive
Sports, arts, and clubs should welcome everyone. Add interpreters, captions, or modified equipment where needed. Inclusion doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be intentional.
8. Center Student Voices
Invite students with disabilities to leadership councils, planning meetings, and accessibility task forces. Their insight is a valuable resource, not a charity offering.
9. Provide Inclusive Health & Counseling Services
Train nurses, counselors, and social workers in disability-sensitive care. Ensure offices are accessible, confidential, and dignity-centered.
10. Foster a Culture of Belonging
Representation matters. Use disability-inclusive curricula, celebrate disability awareness, and normalize disability as part of human diversity.
The Takeaway
When schools say “Yes! Access,” they commit to more than compliance—they commit to every student’s success. Inclusion is not an afterthought; it’s the foundation of an equitable education.
Reference
Chu, M.-W., Craig, H. L., Yeworiew, L. B., & Xu, Y. (2020). Teachers’ Unpreparedness to Accommodate Student Needs. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 35(3), 210-224. https://doi.org/10.1177/0829573520916610 (Original work published 2020)