About the CBI

Three panelists sit at the front of the room. One speaks into the microphone.

The AccessCyberlearning CBI brought together cyberlearning researchers, technology developers, and instructors to share ideas and expertise regarding the creation of online learning tools and experiences that are welcoming to, accessible to, and usable by everyone, including those with disabilities. Most attendees represented projects funded by the National Science Foundation as part of the Cyberlearning and Future Learning Technologies program of the Division of Information & Intelligent Systems. More than 28 people attended the event.

The CBI provided a forum for discussing recruitment and access challenges, sharing expertise and successful practices, developing collaborations, creating resources, and identifying systemic change initiatives relevant to the meeting’s goals. Topics discussed included

  • the engagement of people with disabilities in computing fields and development of new technologies;
  • web accessibility;
  • document accessibility;
  • approaches to access – accommodations and universal design;
  • student perspectives on diverse student needs, research, and tools;
  • maximizing student engagement;
  • accessible online learning and what instructors need to know; and
  • lessons learned and promising practices.

In small working groups, participants responded to the following questions:

  • What challenges does your project face related to accessibility to individuals with disabilities?
  • What steps will you take to overcome these accessibility barriers?
  • How can your project design cyberlearning products and pedagogy accessible to people with disabilities?
  • How can we continue to work together to promote universally designed cyberlearning?

In this CBI

  • all participants contributed to its success;
  • experts in all topic areas were in the audience; and
  • new concepts evolved from discussions.

The CBI was comprised of presentations, panel discussions, and group discussions. CBI participants shared their diverse perspectives and expertise. The agenda for the CBI and summaries of the presentations are provided on the following pages.