Inclusive Teaching and Digital Accessibility: Working Toward a Similar Goal Through Multiple Means
Inclusive teaching and digital accessibility are two important concepts that align with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles; they move away from "retrofitting" (i.e., fixing a problem after a student struggles) toward a "proactive” design (e.g., building a system that works for everyone from the start). Inclusive teaching is a pedagogical framework that focuses on designing a learning environment where every student (regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or learning style) feels valued and has an equal opportunity to succeed. Whereas digital accessibility is a technical standard that ensures that digital tools, documents, and platforms are usable by everyone, regardless of ability.