Takagi, H., Asakawa, C., Fukuda, K., & Maeda, J. (2004). Accessibility designer: Visualizing Usability for the Blind. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 6th international ACM SIGACCESS conference on Computers and accessibility. Retrieved from: http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/1028630.1028662

This purpose of this study is to develop software for improving web usability and blind user’s productivity called Accessibility Designer. The authors describe the factors that become problems beyond the software development which are accessibility checker, requirement of guidelines compliance, and syntactic checking of web page. For overcoming the problems, the author develop a new software that has three fundamental features: background color pattern for presenting reaching time to each part a web page, color filling analysis for indicating accessibility particular area of a web page, and visual layout analysis using text information that generated by standard screen reader. This new software is expected to improve usability of a web page.

In the use, the author found that the background-color-based analysis has the power to reveal several problems such as availability and appropriateness skip-links navigator, availability and appropriateness of  headings usage, and content order. The result of the analysis will contribute to development of web design that may decrease the time and cost maintenance, determine web usability even for high level accessibility, achieve real accessible and usable website by focusing on the user experience and actual productivity.

Even tough this article is technical oriented and focus on usability for user with visual impaired, but it has valuable knowledge for improving accessibility and usability of information displayed on a web page.

Villegas, E., Sorribas, X., Pifarr, M., & Fonseca, D. (2009). Improving the design of accessible web pages through a study of user experience in order to define requirements. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 1st ACM SIGMM international workshop on Media studies and implementations that help improving access to disabled users. Retrieved from http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/1631097.1631099

The authors’ purpose is to compare the two study phases of web accessibility that are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.0 which level AA (double A) is a level acceptance in Spanish Law. The first phase is analyzing several Spanish AA-certified websites in order to collect the pattern of user accessibility defined by user (people with disabilities) requirements. Result from the first phased becomes guidance for group task-based test in second phase for determining the satisfactory of accessibility a web page creation.

This study found that obtaining an accessible experience in the first step leads to the creation of a web page with real accessibility which is not only compliance with the WCAG guidelines, but also “a requirement to provide the user with a satisfactory user experience and to enable the user to work autonomously” (p.5).

Although this study is only involved 12 students with disability, but this article is a good example for creating and analyzing web page that accessible for person with disabilities. Perhaps world class study involved various type students with disabilities would be better to evaluate the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and the result might give some recommendation the web builders to create the real accessible websites.

Rose, D., Hall, T., & Murray, E. (2008). Accurate for All: Universal Design for Learning and the Assessment of Students with Learning Disabilities. Perspectives on Language and Literacy, 34(4), 23-28. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/login?url= http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1639898021&Fmt=7&clientId=16397&RQT=309&VName=PQD

This article explorers the implementation of three principles of universal design for learning in the assessment of students with learning disabilities. The authors state relevant constructs of the instrument and full spectrum of students is the keys to make sure the assessment is accountable and accurate for all students.

The first principle elucidates by the authors is that flexible formats and options of assessment can be generated by modern technology, even it can be determined by individual basis of learning disabilities, so that the information in the assessment can be accessed by all the students. The second one is that assessment should be able completed by any kind of response from various students with disabilities. Thus other supports are needed for preparing and organizing responses such as assistive technology for completing the assessment. The last one is that validity of assessment should be achieved by maximum engagement of the students. For making sure students with learning disabilities have maximum level of engagement, they should be motivated to concentrate to the assessment and ignore other activities when the time has come. If the treatment of external motivating condition is considered not adequate for accountability assessment, then we have to consistent with the implementation of previous principle which is providing options and alternatives of testing and engagement conditions.

Although the article is focus on the assessment of students with learning disabilities in the face-to-face context, the assessment concepts are valuable to be implemented in the on line learning environment for students with disabilities by occupying various modalities of assessment.

Orkwis, R., & McLane, K. (1998). A Curriculum Every Student Can Use: Design Principles for Student Access. ERIC/OSEP Topical Brief (055 Guides: Non-Classroom; 071 ERIC Publications): Special Education Programs (ED/OSERS), Washington, DC.; Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.

Orkwis and McLane explore some issues in universal design for learning which are related to accessibility of general education curriculum for students with disabilities. The authors describe universal design for learning as generating learning materials and activities in the flexible curriculum which provide alternative options for students with various abilities and background.

The authors also complement the report with two figures for illustrating universal design for learning. The first figure illustrates the differences between universal design for product or environment and universal design for learning. The second one illustrates about three essential qualities of universal design for learning which are representation, expression, and engagement.

Even tough it is a quite old monograph, I really agree that universal design in the notion of learning means “learning materials, instructions, and activities that make learning objectives can be achievable by individuals with wide differences in their abilities to see, hear, speak, move, read, write, understand English, attend, organize, engage, and remember” (p.10). This concept works not only accommodate various students with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities, but also various abilities, culture and language backgrounds, and learning approaches.

Harris, C. R., Kaff, M. S., Anderson, M. J., & Knackendoffel, A. (2007). Designing Flexible INSTRUCTION. Principal Leadership, 7(9), 31-35. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1277145451&Fmt=7&clientId=16397&RQT=309&VName=PQD8

This monograph describes the implementation of universal design for learning that should be based on flexible-designed instruction. The selective use of flexible pedagogy are implemented to incorporate flexibility into instructional planning for accommodating the various learning needs of the students in the classroom. The authors complement the concept of universal design for learning with several testimonies of  students who either have or have not special needs.

The author also points out a framework for instructional planning which the principal should build strong foundation based on principles of universal design for learning since in the beginning rather than retrofitting instructions to meet the needs of students with disabilities later and should manage collaboration of general teachers and special education teachers for making sure the curriculum works for a wide range abilities and disabilities of the students.

Although this article elucidates the instructional design in the classroom setting, the flexible-designed instruction also should be applied in the online setting so that the online learning environment rich of flexible modalities.

Hitchcock, C., & Stahl, S. (2003). Assistive Technology, Universal Design, Universal Design for Learning: Improved Learning Opportunities. Journal of Special Education Technology, 18(4), 45-52. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=569989481&Fmt=7&clientId=16397&RQT=309&VName=PQD

In this article, Hitchcock and Stahl points out about developing and implementing of a universal designed curriculum by considering the goals of learning material, the instructional method, and the learning assessment.


The article also elucidates the barriers to access and learning that amplified with some analogies of universal design that make definition and principle of universal design can be applied as well as appropriate use of assistive technology in the educational learning environment. In addition the authors make a table comparison of traditional approach and emerging approach of universal design for learning principles that exposes ten factors that influence teaching and learning process for achieving learning goals in the respective learning environment.

I strongly agree that the best practice of universal design for learning which will support the achievement of all students can be implemented by providing: (a) suitable learning and activities objectives, (b) flexible and supportive electronic learning materials and its assistive technology for access and learning, (c) flexible and various format of challenges and supports, and (d) flexible and accessible assessment.

Eberle, J. H., & Childress, M. D. (2007). Universal Design for Culturally-Diverse Online Learning. In A. Edmundson (Ed.), Globalizing E-Learning Cultural Challenges (pp. 239-254). Retrieved from http://www.igi-global.com.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/Gateway/ContentOwned/Chapter.aspx?TitleId=19304&AccessType=InfoSci

In this book chapter, Eberle and Childress use the principle of universal design for learning (UDL) to point out the framework for online learning design in the culturally-diverse population and global learning. The authors suggest that for designing UDL-based instruction which accommodate various type of learning in a flexible and systematic way, the principles of universal design can be implemented learning to the six steps of dynamic instructional design (DID).

The authors also point out the characteristics and factors of learner that should be considered for online learning environment that accommodate various differences based on “clientele identification, abilities/disabilities, language, culture, gender, time barriers, and technology” (p.246).

This reading is a good source for implementing universal design for learning in the instructional design that sensitive to culturally diverse in the global context so that online learning environment will become more globally inclusive for heterogenic populations, regardless of language, culture, abilities, and gender, time barriers, and technology.

Sapp, W. (2009). Universal Design: Online Educational Media for Students with Disabilities. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 103(8), 495-500. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1862973271&Fmt=7&clientId=16397&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Sapp discusses the implementation of universal design learning using Universal eLearning, which is an under development project of integrated online learning module which are compiling accessible technology, universal design for learning principles, and the best practice of online learning.

The author also elucidates about Universal eLearner system that has incorporated four new features, namely two-tiered video captioning for students with hearing impairment, two-tiered audio description for students with visual impairment, end-of-chapter summary information for supporting the comprehension of students with range of learning and sensory disabilities, and description-embedded language for increasing understandability of the content. Those new features can be set on or off by either students or teachers for making sure students not only can access the online course, but also can understand the contents. Thus the learning goals can be achieved by individuals with range disabilities.

Even though the article just discusses several new features in a universal-designed online learning, but it is very valuable knowledge about how to increase access and understanding of students with disabilities in the notion of flexible online learning.

Palloff, R. M, & Pratt, K. (2001). The Art of Online Teaching. Lessons from the Cyberspace Classroom: The Realities of Online Teaching (pp. 20-36). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Retrieved from http://cemmx.educ.monash.edu.au/moodle/file.php/4/docs/ Palloff_Pratt_2001.pdf

Palloff and Pratt purpose several factors that should be considered for shifting face-to-face learning to online learning such as determining who should teach online which influenced by characteristics and willingness of instructor, conducting training for trainers or instructors before order them into design and delivery (electronic pedagogy), instructors involvement which is important to achieve a successful learning outcome instead of students engagement.

Besides those factors, the authors elucidates the keys to success for online learning which are determining of technology access and familiarity, setting of relative loose and free flowing rules which are generated from participants’ input, gaining maximum engagement of participants with the best effort, encouraging participants for collaborative learning, and developing reflection system for participants. At the end of the authors provide "Tips for a Successful Online Course" (p. 36).

This is very good reading for understanding how to establish and manage online leaning environment, so that the online course not only converting face-to-face leaning material to digital format, but also reach with sources, activities, and evaluation to achieving learning goals.

Collis, B. & Moonen, J. (2002). Flexible Learning in a Digital World. Open Learning: The Journal of Open and Distance Learning, 17(3), 217-230. DOI: 10.1080/0268051022000048228

Collis and Moonen elucidate the flexible learning that has four keys components in the higher education context which are technology, pedagogy, implementation strategies, and institutional framework. The authors define the term of flexible learning is not merely as distance learning, but it is used in a broad way that allow the learner to choose different aspects of learning experiences is the key idea. In the most of the explanation, the authors try to define real flexible learning in the terms of institutional framework. Thus flexible learning can be realized by implementing strategy in the institution, making pedagogical approaches become learning value, and occupying technology to enhance flexibility.

The authors also explain about lessons learned series from previous cycle of education change and technology potential. The authors state that a well-design web based system is appropriate technology for flexible learning if it has wide range possibilities and contribution-oriented learning. Indeed, usability and accessibility of WWW-based system are key point for flexible learning in the online learning environment.

Even tough the authors explain the flexible learning in the notion of higher education, but its principles can be implemented in the either level or field of education, including special education needs.