Accessibility Profiles
An accessibility profile identifies the access needs of an individual or a group.
It creates a picture of how pupils access the world around them and what enables them.
By creating an accessibility profile, you can better:
~support pupils’ learning
~identify hidden access issues
~create a more positive learning environment
~provide evidence as to why you have set up the class/school in a certain way
~reduce negative behaviours which may be caused by environmental factors
Most significantly, by carrying out this exercise you can help support students who may have unidentified or unacknowledged learning difficulties.
Not all disabilities or learning needs are obvious
It is not uncommon for children to have unidentified or unacknowledged learning difficulties.
A child may be masking their challenges to anyone noticing they are ‘different’.
They might keep a low profile, manage to just keep up with their classmates or cover their difficulties by being badly behaved or refusing to work. Local culture, teacher workload, lack of expertise or simple economics also influence whether a child’s additional needs are identified.
Local culture, teacher workload, lack of expertise or simple economics can also decide if a response or adaptation is put in place for a child.
The accessibility profile can help you identify and implement needed change without singling any child out.
Key Learning Points
Not every disability is visible or obvious