Access and Engagement
Access and engagement work together to create inclusive learning environments where all students can learn, participate, and contribute alongside their peers.
Explore strategies and resources that support inclusive, high-quality instruction, including Differentiated Instruction, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), opportunities to respond (OTR), and Differentiated Output Strategies.
Access
What is Access?
Access means designing learning environments so all students can participate in general education and learn the curriculum alongside their peers.
Accessible learning environments provide multiple ways to receive information and communicate, predictable routines and clear expectations, and autonomy in identifying and using helpful tools and supports.
Why is Access Important?
When learning environments are designed for access, barriers are identified and reduced before they interfere with learning. Students have more opportunities to participate, use their strengths, and access learning in ways that work for them.
Supporting Access:
Accessible learning environments:
- Provide information in multiple formats
- Offer flexibility, clarity, and choice
- Include clear and predictable expectations
- Consider sensory needs and adapt environments when needed
- Allow flexibility in pacing and timing
- Invite feedback and adjust when needed
Engagement
What is Engagement?
Engagement is how students connect, participate, and contribute within a learning environment. Engagement can look different from student to student.
Students may engage by expressing, listening, writing, moving, observing, reflecting, or communicating in other ways. Learning environments can support engagement by fostering safety, curiosity, interest, and access to needed supports.
Why is Engagement Important?
Meaningful engagement supports learning, understanding, connection, collaboration, curiosity, and belonging. Providing different ways to participate allows students to engage in ways that build on their strengths, interests, and needs.
Supporting Access:
Engaging learning environments:
- Are responsive, flexible, and welcoming
- Offer different ways to participate and communicate
- Connect learning to students' interests and experiences
- Provide clear expectations and goals
- Include time to reflect and process
- Create opportunities for collaboration and problem-solving
- Value different ways of contributing
What Does the Law Say About Access and Engagement?
Federal laws protect the rights of students with disabilities to access education and participate in school. Three important laws help establish these protections.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
IDEA ensures that eligible students with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This includes individualized instruction and supports, access to and progress in the general education curriculum, and education alongside peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 protects students with disabilities from discrimination. Schools must provide equal access to educational programs and activities and provide accommodations and supports when needed.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability. Schools must address barriers that limit participation and provide accessible environments, communication, programs, and services.
What Does This Mean for Students?
Students with disabilities have rights related to:
- Access to general education learning environments and curriculum
- Individualized supports and services
- Meaningful participation
- Engagement with peers and school communities
What Does the Research Say About Access and Engagement?
Research supports designing learning environments that provide students with meaningful access to learning and multiple ways to engage and participate.
Inclusive Education
With appropriate supports, students with disabilities can benefit from learning in general education classrooms. Inclusive learning provides opportunities to access grade-level curriculum, learn alongside peers, and build relationships and communication skills.
Universal Design for Learning
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) focuses on designing flexible learning environments from the beginning. UDL provides multiple ways for students to access information, engage in learning, and demonstrate what they know.
Student Engagement
Students are more likely to engage in learning when they have choice and autonomy, meaningful learning experiences, clear expectations and structure, and supportive relationships.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices
Neurodiversity-affirming learning environments recognize and respect differences in how students think, communicate, learn, and participate. These environments reduce unnecessary barriers and expectations while providing flexible ways for students to participate and demonstrate learning.
Roles in Supporting Access and Engagement
Creating accessible and engaging learning environments is a shared responsibility. Educators, families, students, administrators, and other members of the educational team each contribute different knowledge and perspectives.
- Collaborate with educators, families, and students to identify and implement supports for meaningful learning and participation
- Design, adapt, and monitor supports that build on student strengths and increase access to learning
- Create inclusive learning environments
- Provide multiple ways for students to access content and participate
- Collaborate with the educational team to connect student-specific engagement strategies with instruction
- Implement strategies and supports developed by the educational team
- Support participation while building student independence
- Model communication and positive connections with classmates
- Share the student's strengths, preferences, interests, and experiences
- Partner with the educational team to help learning environments respond to the student's needs and goals
- Share their strengths, interests, preferences, and what helps them learn
- Build self-awareness and self-advocacy skills
- Have opportunities to make choices about their learning and supports
- Create systems and school cultures that prioritize inclusive practices and equitable access
- Support staff through professional learning, resources, and coaching