A Review of Accessibility in Online Higher Education

The proliferation of the Internet, computers, and mobile devices means that students of all ages, socio-economic statuses, geographical locations, and abilities have access to higher education institutions that were previously unavailable. As the population of the United States ages and the number of students with diagnosed disabilities grows, colleges and universities will be challenged to accommodate the various needs of their student population. Distance education is often seen as an appropriate outlet to increase enrollment numbers and provide education to students with motor, cognitive, visual, and auditory impairments. Instructional designers, instructors, and institutions are tasked with designing, developing, and maintaining accessible hardware, software, websites, and other technologies that allow disabled students to actively engage in education and become more independent. This paper will discuss how various disabilities effect college coursework and review the best practices, methods, and technologies utilized to create an inclusive education for all learners.