Abstract

This workshop will give participants the opportunity to discuss the guidelines developed by the ALERT (Accessibility in Learning Environments and Related Technologies) project, which aims to improve disabled students' learning through a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). The ALERT guidelines focus on supporting the attainment of pedagogical objectives of disabled students and whether the use of a VLE makes learning easier for them or whether it creates a further barrier. The 2003 UCISA report shows that 86% of HE institutions now use at least one VLE (UCISA, 1003). Therefore the outcomes of the ALERT project are increasingly important in institutional provision for disabled students. The guidelines are developed from a series of case studies with disabled students and academic staff. The case studies included a range of academic disciplines, disabilities and e-tivities which are 'frameworks for online active and interactive learning' (Salmon, 2004).