Accessible digital textbooks

Children with disabilities are significantly more likely than their peers to be excluded from education and learning opportunities. Many education systems and schools struggle to provide inclusive educational experiences, where children with and without disabilities can learn together, due to a lack of materials, inadequate capacity and other barriers.

This research project focuses on embedding implementation research into the Accessible Digital Textbooks for All initiative, which aims to develop digital tools with accessibility features to enable all children, with and without disabilities, to learn in the same classroom. Ensuring that educational resources are inclusive is critical for fostering equitable learning environments where every student can thrive.

The project seeks to identify best practices for creating and integrating accessible digital textbooks in diverse classroom settings, examining the effectiveness of these digital tools through qualitative and quantitative research methods and focusing on factors such as user engagement, teacher preparedness, and the adaptability of the technology to different educational contexts.

Collaborating with educators, policymakers, technologists and disability advocates, the project will pilot accessible digital textbooks in various schools. These textbooks will include features like text-to-speech, sign language videos, adjustable font sizes, and interactive content designed to meet the needs of all learners following Universal Design for Learning principles. The goal is to develop scalable and sustainable models that ensure digital learning materials that are accessible to every student, regardless of their abilities.