Supporting students with SEND with computing

Supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in computing lessons requires a range of strategies to address their diverse needs. Here are some practical ways to assist these students, including built-in software options for Windows and Apple devices.

General strategies for SEND students

  1. Individualised Learning Plans: Tailor lessons to meet the specific needs of each student.
  2. Assistive Technology: Utilise software and devices designed to help students with their specific needs (e.g. text-to-speech, speech-to-text, screen readers - more information below).
  3. Clear Instructions: Provide step-by-step instructions and use visual aids where possible.
  4. Extra Time: Allow additional time to complete tasks and assignments.
  5. Flexible Grouping: Group students strategically to balance abilities and foster peer support.
  6. Regular Feedback: Provide frequent and constructive feedback to help students stay on track.

Students with Dyslexia

  1. Readable Fonts: Use dyslexia-friendly fonts (like OpenDyslexic) and high-contrast backgrounds.
  2. Audio Support: Offer audiobooks or text-to-speech options for reading assignments.
  3. Simplified Text: Break down instructions into smaller, manageable chunks.
  4. Highlighting Tools: Use tools that highlight text to help with tracking.
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Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  1. Routine and Structure: Maintain a consistent routine and clearly outline expectations.
  2. Visual Supports: Use visual schedules, cues, and symbols to aid understanding.
  3. Sensory Considerations: Be mindful of sensory sensitivities; reduce noise and avoid bright, flashing lights.
  4. Social Stories: Use social stories to explain tasks and interactions in computing lessons.
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Students with ADHD

  1. Break Tasks Down: Divide tasks into smaller, more manageable parts.
  2. Movement Breaks: Allow short, frequent breaks to help students manage their energy.
  3. Visual Timers: Use visual timers to help students understand time management.
  4. Interactive Activities: Incorporate interactive and hands-on activities to maintain engagement.

Students with Visual Impairments

  1. Screen Readers and Magnifiers: Ensure accessibility software is available and in use.
  2. Large Print Materials: Provide worksheets and instructions in large print.
  3. Braille Displays: If appropriate, use braille displays and keyboards.
  4. High Contrast: Ensure high contrast on screens and printed materials to improve readability.

Students with Hearing Impairments

  1. Captioning: Use captioned videos and presentations.
  2. Visual Instructions: Rely more on visual instructions and written text.
  3. Sign Language: If applicable, use sign language interpreters or learning tools.
  4. Clear View: Ensure students can see the teacher’s face for lip reading if needed.

Students with Physical Disabilities

  1. Adaptive Devices: Use adapted keyboards, mice, or other input devices.
  2. Accessible Software: Ensure software is compatible with assistive devices.
  3. Ergonomic Seating: Provide appropriate seating arrangements and ergonomic supports.
  4. Voice Recognition: Utilise voice recognition software for students who have difficulty typing.
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Microsoft Windows Accessibility Settings

Ease of Access Center

The Ease of Access Center in Windows is the hub for all accessibility settings. You can access it by pressing Windows + U.

You can also check out this Youtube playlist of demonstration videos for a range of Windows accessibility settings.

 

1 . Display Settings

  • Magnifier: This tool magnifies parts of the screen, making text and images easier to see. It's helpful for students with visual impairments.
    • How to Use: Press Windows + Plus (+) to turn on the Magnifier. You can adjust the zoom level and mode (full screen, lens, or docked).
  • High Contrast Mode: Enhances color contrast for text and background, making it easier for students with low vision or dyslexia to read.
    • How to Use: Press Left Alt + Left Shift + Print Screen to toggle high contrast mode.
  • Text Size: Adjust text size for better readability.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Display, and adjust the text size slider.

 

2. Narrator

Narrator is a screen reader that reads aloud text on the screen and describes events like notifications and calendar appointments, assisting students with visual impairments or reading difficulties.

  • How to Use: Press Windows + Ctrl + Enter to turn Narrator on or off. Customize settings in Settings > Ease of Access > Narrator.

 

3. Speech Recognition

Speech Recognition allows students to control their PC and dictate text using voice commands, which is beneficial for those with physical disabilities or dysgraphia.

  • How to Use: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Speech, and select "Turn on Speech Recognition". Follow the setup instructions to configure it.

 

  4. Keyboard Settings

  • On-Screen Keyboard: Provides a virtual keyboard that students can use with a mouse or touch screen, useful for those with motor impairments.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard, and turn on the On-Screen Keyboard.
  • Sticky Keys: Allows pressing one key at a time for keyboard shortcuts, aiding students who have difficulty pressing multiple keys simultaneously.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard, and turn on Sticky Keys.
  • Filter Keys: Ignores brief or repeated keystrokes, helping students who may accidentally press keys multiple times.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard, and turn on Filter Keys.

 

5. Mouse Settings

  • Pointer Size and Color: Adjust the mouse pointer's size and color to make it more visible.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Cursor & pointer, and adjust the pointer size and color.
  • Mouse Keys: Allows the numeric keypad to control the mouse pointer, useful for students with motor impairments.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Mouse, and turn on Mouse Keys.

 

6. Color Filters

Color filters can help students with color blindness or visual sensitivity by changing the color palette on the screen.

  • How to Use: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Color filters, and turn on Color filters. Choose from options like grayscale, inverted, or specific color filters.

 

  7. Closed Captions

Customize the appearance of closed captions for videos to improve readability for students with hearing impairments.

  • How to Use: Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Closed captions, and adjust the caption settings (font, color, size, etc.).

 

  8. Windows Speech to Text

A built-in dictation tool that converts speech to text, helping students with writing difficulties.

  • How to Use: Press Windows + H to start dictation, and speak into the microphone to have your speech converted to text.

 

9. Learning Tools in Microsoft Edge and Office

  • Immersive Reader: Available in Microsoft Edge and Office applications like Word and OneNote, it helps students with reading difficulties by reading text aloud, changing text spacing, and highlighting text as it's read.
    • How to Use: In Edge, click on the book icon in the address bar. In Word or OneNote, go to the View tab and select Immersive Reader.
  • Line Focus: Highlights one or more lines of text to help students focus while reading.
    • How to Use: In Immersive Reader, go to the Reading Preferences and turn on Line Focus.

Ready to find out more?

Learn more about all the accessibility settings and options available on Microsoft devices.

Go to page

iPad OS Accessibility Settings

iPads also have a wealth of built-in accessibility features that can support students with special educational needs. Below is a detailed overview of these features and how they can be used.

You can also check out this Youtube playlist from Apple about accessibility features on all their devices.

 

1. Accessibility Shortcut

Quickly access your most-used accessibility features by triple-clicking the Home button or the Top button.

  • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut and select the features you want to use.

 

2. VoiceOver

VoiceOver is a screen reader that makes it easier for students with visual impairments to navigate and interact with their iPad.

  • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver and turn it on. You can customize speech, braille, and verbosity settings.

 

3. Zoom

Zoom allows students to magnify the iPad screen to see text and images more clearly.

  • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Zoom and turn it on. Double-tap with three fingers to zoom in and out, and drag with three fingers to move around the screen.

 

 4. Magnifier

Turns your iPad into a digital magnifying glass, which can be very useful for students with low vision.

  • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier and turn it on. Activate it by triple-clicking the Home button or the Top button.

 

 

 5. Display & Text Size

  • Larger Text: Increase text size for better readability.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Larger Text and adjust the slider.
  • Bold Text: Make the text bolder for easier reading.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and turn on Bold Text.
  • Increase Contrast: Improve contrast to make text stand out more.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and turn on Increase Contrast.
  • Color Filters: Help students with color blindness by applying color filters.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters and choose the appropriate filter.

 

 6. Speech

  • Speak Selection: Speak aloud the text you select.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and turn on Speak Selection. Highlight text and tap Speak.
  • Speak Screen: Speak the content of the entire screen.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and turn on Speak Screen. Swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen.
  • Voice Control: Use your voice to control the iPad.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control and turn it on.

 

 7. Siri

Use Siri for voice commands to perform tasks, set reminders, and more, assisting students who have difficulty typing.

  • How to Use: Hold down the Home button or say "Hey Siri" if it's enabled in Settings > Siri & Search.

 

 

 8. Touch Accommodations

Modify touch input settings to help students with physical disabilities.

  • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Touch Accommodations and customize settings like Hold Duration and Ignore Repeat.

 

 

 9. AssistiveTouch

Provides an on-screen menu for common actions, useful for students who have difficulty with physical buttons.

  • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn it on. Customize the menu for quick access to features.

 

 

 10. Switch Control

Allows students to use switches to interact with the iPad, great for those with motor impairments.

  • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control and turn it on. Follow the setup instructions to configure switches.

 

 

11. Keyboard Settings

  • On-screen Keyboard: Provides a virtual keyboard for typing.
    • How to Use: It’s available in any app that requires typing.
  • Key Repeat: Adjust the repeat rate for keys.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboards and adjust Key Repeat.

 

 

 12. Hearing

  • Hearing Devices: Connect compatible hearing aids or sound processors.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices and follow the pairing instructions.
  • Sound Recognition: Alerts students to specific sounds like alarms or doorbells.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Sound Recognition and turn it on, then select the sounds you want the iPad to recognize.
  • Mono Audio: Play both left and right audio channels in both ears, helpful for students with hearing loss in one ear.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual and turn on Mono Audio.

 

 13. Guided Access

Limits the iPad to a single app and controls which features are available, preventing distractions and helping students stay focused.

  • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and turn it on. Triple-click the Home button or the Top button in an app to start Guided Access.

 

 14. Reading Support

  • Safari Reader: Strips away ads and other distractions from web pages, leaving only the main content.
    • How to Use: Tap the AA button in the Safari address bar and select Show Reader.
  • Highlight Content: Use built-in features to highlight text as it’s read aloud.
    • How to Use: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Spoken Content and turn on Highlight Content.

Ready to find out more?

Learn more about all the accessibility settings and options available on Apple devices.

Go to page