INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL SECTION ON INTEGRATING ACCESSIBILITY INTO ONLINE LEARNING

Authors

  • Kristen Betts Dr. Kristen Betts Chief Academic Officer Forbes Education 60 Fifth Avenue, Suite 530 New York, NY 10011

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v17i3.378

Keywords:

accessibility, technology, disabilities, equal access, equal opportunity, procurement, online learning, online education, higher education, barriers, student success

Abstract

This special section of the Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks on Integrating Accessibility into Online Learning is a compilation of papers, interviews, and webinars that provide an overview of the broad spectrum of issues related to accessibility, online learning, and student success. The proliferation of technology and online learning have transformed higher education in terms of national enrollments and instructional delivery. Data reveals that between fall 2002 and fall 2012, the number of higher education students taking at least one online course increased from 1.6 million to 6.7 million, representing a growth rate of 21 percent [1]. While online learning provides extensive new opportunities for students to enroll in degree and certificate programs, these opportunities are closely linked to accessibility. An institutional commitment to accessibility is needed to support success for all students. Universities must provide students with disabilities equal access to all programs including activities and services that allow an equal opportunity for them to actively participate and to achieve the same results as other students. This special section showcases research, trends, and recommended best practices to increase accessibility and student success in online learning for students with disabilities.

Author Biography

Kristen Betts, Dr. Kristen Betts Chief Academic Officer Forbes Education 60 Fifth Avenue, Suite 530 New York, NY 10011

Kristen Betts, EdD, is the Chief Academic Officer at Forbes Education. Dr. Betts has served as the Director of Online & Blended Learning at Armstrong Atlantic State University and the Senior Director for eLearning at Drexel University. Additionally, Dr. Betts has served as the Director of the blended EdD Program in Educational Leadership & Management program for the Philadelphia campus and the founding Director of the online Master of Science in Higher Education program at Drexel University. While at Armstrong and Drexel University, she led program and campus initiatives that received distinguished statewide, national, and international awards. Dr. Betts has been a keynote speaker at conferences and government-supported events in Sweden, South Korea, Canada, and across the United States. She serves on several advisory boards and as a conference reviewer for several national and international associations. Dr. Betts is a Quality Matters certified peer reviewer and master reviewer. She is also a Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) Institute alumna and has been a reviewer for the Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks (JALN), Journal for Online Learning and Teaching (JOLT), Journal of Online Pedagogy & Course Design (IJOPCD), Journal of Tourism & Hospitality (JTH), and EDUCAUSE Quarterly (EQ). Dr. Betts publishes and presents nationally and internationally on online and blended education, student/faculty recruitment and retention, adult learning, branding, Online Human Touch, Online First-Year Experience, eAdvising, eStudent Affairs, dashboards, accessibility, cooperative education/work integrated learning, stackable credential programs, and faculty development.

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Published

2013-09-30

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 3 (2013)

Section

Integrating Accessibility into Online Higher Education

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