The benefits of distance learning

Hello there!  We the team at www.sterlingcreations.ca are delighted to bring you an editorial by our president Donna J. Jodhan.  This is a very insightful editorial so we hope you find it of interest.

Have a great weekend.

 

The benefits of distance learning
 
Distance learning has really taken off in the last few years and with a bit of effort and tweaking, it won't be long before more and more blind and visually impaired persons really start to take advantage of it.  I say, distance learning could be a real God Send to blind and visually impaired persons but not just to these types of persons.  To the print disabled, to others who find it difficult or inconvenient to travel to physical locations, and to seniors and retirees.
 
If designers, developers, and those in authority can work towards making distance learning more accessible, then we will be all set but what do I mean by making it more accessible?  They need to work towards making it easier for blind and visually impaired persons to access online facilities.  They need to design and develop screens that are easier to navigate.  They need to provide texts in alternative formats, not just PDF formats alone.  They need to make it easier for forms to be completed independently. 
 
Distance learning can open up a whole new world of opportunities for blind and visually impaired persons.  Just think!  Many more courses available, so much more to learn and experience, so easy to take from the comfort of their homes, but then there is something else.  Blind and visually impaired persons will now have to acquire the right combination of technology in order to take advantage of distance learning.  Doable you say?  Definitely possible.  Just ask the Hadley school for the blind.  www.hadley.edu. 
 
I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and weekend.
To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca and I would be delighted to send you an electronic copy of our latest newsletter.
 
Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna's blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan!  advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com 
a weekly feature on important answers to consumers concerns
http://www.untappedwealth.com/businessdesk.html
Weekly blogs for language professionals and special needs business consultants
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
a monthly editorial on business issues and concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html 
weekly editorials on accessibility issues in Canada
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php
Editorials:  An International perspective on issues of accessibility and disability
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com
A general perspective on issues of access and accessibility
http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7