Accessibility, Special Education and Online Learning:

Supporting equity in in a remote learning environment

Description
This course provides an overview of all the accessibility tools available in Windows 10, Office 365, and other apps
delivered virtually through Microsoft Teams.

Learning Targets
 Learn how Windows 10 and Office 365 can personalize learning for all students
 Explore the accessibility tools built in Windows 10 and Office 365
 Discover ways to make content accessible for all students
 Learn tips to help students transition to Remote Learning

This session applies to

 Classroom teachers - general and special education
 Paraeducators
 School leaders

Resources
 Presentation Deck
 All other resources are embedded int the facilitator guidance below
 Please note: the script below is provided as a guide. Please personalize to fit your presentation style and
audience.

Before you teach

 Use the Edge browser when using a web browser
 Make sure all tabs are closed on web browser
 Practice the demos beforehand
 Check audio and video
 Make sure to turn on the Presentation Translator add-in for PowerPoint

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 Time Activity Slide or
Allotte Screenshot
d
15 minutes prior to the beginning of the call: This slide
should be displayed as participants are joining the call. It saves
time if people can check their audio settings before they join,
instead of troubleshooting after the call has begun. Play culturally
appropriate music from a device so participants can hear it.
Check the chat and make sure to give assistance as needed.

5 minutes Introduction
Say: Accessibility, Special Education and Online Learning:
Supporting equity in in a remote learning environment

Do: Introduce yourself – on camera if possible.

Say: The first thing I’d like to do is make sure everyone can
participate in our call today. Open the Chat in Teams by clicking
on the conversation bubble icon in your Teams menu. It should
appear when you move your mouse. Once you have the Chat
open, post a response to our question. We’ll all be able to see

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 each other’s posts and reply in the Chat. If you want to reply to a
specific person, you can type the @ symbol ahead of their name
to at-mention them. Give it a try!

"If you could have any view out your window, what would it be
and why?"

Do: Briefly go over the learning objectives.

Say: That’s where we’re headed. Our agenda is basically our

objectives, and we’ll dig into each one. We’ll spend about an hour
together, and you can always use the Chat or unmute your
microphone to ask a question. Is this what everyone expected to
hear today? Do you have any other questions that you were
hoping to have answered? Go ahead and post to the Chat for this
call: what do you most need to get out of this session?

Do: Give participants time to respond in the chat. Respond to the

suggestions/comments throughout the training when
appropriate.

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 Say: What is Remote Learning? I’ll give you a moment to read
the text on the page, and then I’ll read it aloud.

Do: Wait a moment. Then read the text aloud, using digital ink to
circle impactful words or phrases.

Say: Remote Learning is different than face to face instruction,

as you might imagine. Has anyone in the call today taken a
remote learning course?

Pause for responses

Say: In online delivery, the facilitator is asked to bridge the

physical distance that separates the participants. This is done
through establishing community – something we’ll talk about
more in a moment. Community is important because the social
dynamics are the same in a virtual environment, but the
implications are different. For example, in a physical space, we
know to return to our seats not only because the instructor has
asked us to return or time is up, we also go back because
everyone else in the room does. In a virtual environment, we
don’t have those social cues in the same way. The facilitator has
to replace physical cues with virtual cues. Also, in a virtual
course, the content can feel static and distant. It is up to the
course designer to include interactive, engaging apps that draw
in the learner in new ways.

© 2020 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved

 35 minutes Accessible Technologies
Say: There are many challenges students with learning differences or
differing abilities face when accessing content via Remote Learning.
Whether it is a struggle with reading or writing, accessing the
computer, or staying engaged, it is imperative students receive their
accommodations and modifications just as they would in their regular
classroom setting. This is not an easy task, but Office 365 and Windows
10 have built in tools that will help students with learning differences
access their education alongside their peers.

Do: Post the Accessibility Sway into the chat:

http://aka.ms/AccessibilitySway

Say: A sudden switch to Remote Learning is going to be challenging

for all students, but for students with learning needs this will be
amplified and can increase frustration and anxiety. Here are some tools
and tips that are free and already built into their devices that will help
our students meet their individual learning needs

Immersive Reader and Learning Tools: Through the Immersive

Reader and Learning Tools, students:
o Students listen to text being read aloud as the words are
highlighted,
o choose how content is presented visually,
o translate into over 60 languages, and
o even use a built-in dictionary for real-time vocabulary support.

Post in Chat: Periodic Table of Learning Tools

Math Assistant: Write or type any math problem and Math Assistant
in OneNote can solve it for you — helping you reach the solution
quickly, or displaying step-by-step instructions that help you learn how
to reach the solution on your own.

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 Writing Efficiency: Dictation, Editor and Word Prediction
Word Prediction: Windows 10 Word Prediction (also known as
text suggestions) offers suggestions for words as the user types.
Editor: An enhanced spell checker, Editor takes natural language
capabilities, focus and attention, and read-aloud, and combines
them into one easy-to-use interface.
Dictation: Some students really struggle with getting their ideas
on paper. Using the Dictate feature within Microsoft Word and
OneNote enables students to use technology without the
frightening burden of typing things perfectly.

Do: Demo the following tools: Using Immersive Reader and the
Math Assistant

Have a dedicated page in the OneNote.

The first 2 problems are all word problems and are good to
explore Immersive Reader with

A. Word Problems
Read and answer each question:
An aquarium has exhibits that feature different marine
animals.

1. The sharks are fed three times a day. During the morning
feeding, 2/15 of a ton of fish is fed. During the afternoon
feeding, the weight of fish fed will be 1/15 of a ton more than
the fish fed during the morning. If the total weight of fish fed
in a day is 1/2 of a ton, how much is fed during the feeding at
night?

2. A baby otter was born 3/4 of a month early. At birth, its

weight was 7/8 kilograms, which is 9/10 kilogram less than
the average weight of newborn otter in the aquarium. What is

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 the average weight of newborn otter?

Try out all the tools in Immersive reader, including the

picture dictionary!

B. Rewrite the following expression in digital ink and solve

using the math tools

(5 × 10 + 2)× 12 + 7

Generate a quiz and see how you do!

C. Rewrite the following equation and solve using the math tools

2
X +5 x +6=0

Try solving the equation using multiple methods

Graph both sides

If you are up for the challenge, generate a quiz and give it a

try

Say: A student with a visual impairment may need a larger or a

brighter screen, or a screen reader. Learn about these and other
accessibility tools and features for people who are blind, color blind, or
have low vision.

Learning Tools and Immersive Reader for students with low

vision is an easy way to make text accessible. Font size, color and
contrast can be easily changed to the student's individual needs
without changing system settings.

Ease of Access Center: In the Ease of Access Center, located in

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 Settings, users can make changes to the computer to make it
easier to see.

Seeing AI: This application turns the visual world into an audible
experience.

Office Lens: Office Lens is a great way for students to

independently digitize materials. When working remotely,
students will be able to access as well as turn in materials
independently.

Narrator: reads aloud the text on your PC screen. It also

describes events such as notifications and calendar appointments,
which allows you to use your PC without a display.

Do: Demo the following tool: Ease of Access center

Display: make text bigger

Mouse pointer: make it big and change the color
Text cursor: slid the bar to show it will increase and then slide it
back
Magnifier: show how, and that there are 3 options but don't
actually demo
Color filters: turn on click through each one turn off
High contrast: mention, do not turn on
Narrator: (built in screen reader) mention, do not turn on

© 2020 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved

 Say: For students who are hard of hearing, have hearing loss, or have
deafness, explore these specialized features that can provide solutions
including closed captioning, mono sound, and live call transcription.

 Ease Of Access Center: Located in Settings, the hearing settings

allow students to change to mono audio, change how notifications
look on the screen, and adjust closed captions to fit the users
specific needs.

 Subtitles: Display auto-generated subtitles on a presentation in

any of 60+ supported languages with the Presentation Translator
add-in for PowerPoint on PCs. Plus, let each audience member
follow along with captions displayed in their chosen language on
any device with Microsoft Translator

 Add captions for videos: Create multi-media presentations that

are engaging and accessible with Office 365 applications such as
PowerPoint and Sway that enable you to add captions for
embedded videos.

 Microsoft Stream allows you to autogenerate captions and a

transcript for your Stream videos.

Do: Demo the following tools: Presentation translator.

Show how to turn on subtitles whenever presenting in PowerPoint.

Say: Learn more about Windows 10 features such as Eye Control, the
On-Screen Keyboard, and other assistive technology tools that can help
people with mobility disabilities. Use tools such as Dictate and Touch
Mode to help you navigate around Office 365 as well.

Ease of Access Center has options to optimize interaction with

the computer. This can be found in Settings for Windows 10.

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 Dictation: Students can Dictate in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook,
Excel, and OneNote with the click of a button.

Keyboard only: Interacting with your computer only using the

keyboard and keyboard shortcuts.

On-Screen Keyboard: Type with a mouse, trackball or joystick.

Eye Control allows you to use an eye tracker to control your

computer.

Do: Demo the following tools: Dication in Word

Open a new Word doc, or have it open and click the dictate
button and speak a few sentences that you have practiced.

Say: Innovative tools such as dictation and Windows Hello sign-in can
make the digital world more accessible for students who live with
dyslexia, seizures, autism, or other cognitive differences.

 Focus Assist: Allows you to avoid distracting notifications when

you need to stay focused, and will automatically activate based on
settings.

 Reading view allows you to simplify the view to reduce

distraction.

 Learning Tools in the Edge browser: Learning Tools are built

into the Microsoft Edge browser. Use Learning Tools in Microsoft
Edge to hear any webpage or PDF read out loud while following
along with the words on screen.

 Word Prediction: Windows 10 Word Prediction (also known as

© 2020 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved

 text suggestions). offers suggestions for words as you type.

 To Do: Use this app to stay organized with lists and tasks that will
give reminders when a task is scheduled. To Do has a planner,
task manager, lists, and integrates with Office 365.

Do: Demo how following tools: Word prediction

Use the same Word doc from dictation

To turn on word prediction or predictive text,
In the search bar type "typing" and select typing settings

Scroll down to the Hardware keyboard and toggle on "Show text

suggestions as I type"

Go back to the Word doc and type a sentence or two showing how text
suggestions works.

(leave the settings window open to easily turn it off before continuing)

Say: Remote Learning and change can be a stressful time for all
students, especially those who are struggling already. Here are some
tools to help students create structure and simplicity in order to reduce
stress in an already stressful time.

 Focus Assist: allows you to avoid distracting notifications when

you need to stay focused, and will automatically activate based on
settings.
 Reading view: allows you to simplify the view to reduce
distraction.
 OneNote and Outlook: Manage tasks and have all materials and
content in one place that is organized and easy to access.
 Mindful Knight: A Minecraft world focusing on mindfulness and
being present.

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 Do: Demo the Mindful Knight, Task 1

Demo meeting the wizard and floating up the tower, as the participants
to focus on their breathing during this time.

Say:
A key aspect of mindfulness is the ability to calm and focus the mind.
The purpose of mindful breathing is to maintain focus of the breath, not
to clear the mind of all thought, but instead to notice when the mind
wanders and bring it back to focusing on breathing.

Or

Demo Focus Assist

In the search bar type Focus Assist, walk through all the settings. Also
demo that focus assist can be turned on from the notifications button
on the task bar

Do: Pause to answer questions

5 minutes Creating Accessible Content

Say: Before sending materials and content out, it is imperative that it
is accessible for all students. Follow these guidelines to ensure that
content can be accessed by all your students. Remember, even if a
student doesn't have a need to for accessible content, a parent or
caregiver might.
 Check every document with the Accessibility Checker to ensure
that all content is easy for your student to read and edit.
 Keep pages uncluttered. Include only necessary information on the
page so that it is easy to follow.

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  When adding graphics and pictures, be sure they have alt text and
more importantly they add meaning to the content and aren't
there just to make the page look pretty.
 If using a picture just for visual appeal, check the Mark as
Decorative box
 Ensure that you are communicating information in more than one
way. For example, do not use color as the only way to convey
information.

Do: Ask participants to add any additional tips they use to create
accessible content - not just with Microsoft Tools

10 minutes Transitioning to Remote Learning

Say: Use these tips to help your students transition into a new way of
learning. Things won't always go smoothly, but by working together
and setting clear expectations, students will be engaged and excited to
learn with you from the comfort of their own home!
 Use your camera and audio so students can see you and feel
connected. Many students struggle with change, and an
unexpected change such as schools closing can be extremely
challenging.
 Verbalize what is happening on the screen. The more ways a
student gets the information the better!
 Transitions are hard for many students. Give students time to
process that they will be moving to a new task, coming back from
working independently, or taking a break.
 Be flexible! An unexpected change to Remote Learning will be
hard on both teachers and students. If something isn't working, be
willing to pivot and try something new. Fail forward with your
students!
 Check in frequently with students for understanding and stress
levels. Take breaks as necessary even if they aren't planned.
 Ensure students have very clear directions and expectations for all
work.

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  Ensure accessing materials is as frustration free as possible. When
possible, use technology that is already familiar to students.

Say: Seat time at school and time in a Remote Learning

environment are different! Adjust your time accordingly to keep
students engaged. Ensure parents and students are given a
suggested schedule for the day. Keep lunch at the same time and
build in breaks or recess time depending on age. Have specific
times that students will be working not spread out throughout the
whole day.

Do: Ask participants to share an example of schedules they have used

or seen online.

Say: Many students will benefit from using these tools while learning
remotely. Take time in your virtual classroom setup as well as each
school day to ensure that all of your students are getting the resources
and tools they need to successfully learn while away from school.

Do: Ask participants for any final comments, resources to share or

questions.

5 minutes Closing
Say: It is undeniable that the task before you is massive. If, however,
you approach it with a willingness to learn and grow, you will see the
glimmer of possibilities and the bright side of this challenging time. Will
it be perfect? No, but it will be amazing because not only will you be
teaching your students about your content, you will also be modeling
growth mindset, resilience, and hope. You've got this!

Do: Ask for any final thoughts, emoji of how participants are
feeling, or any questions still needing to be addressed.

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 If you have a redeem code to offer or a survey you would like
participants to take, plead add those links to the final slide.

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