By: Florida Virtual School Exceptional Student Education Team

With its flexible scheduling, diverse course offerings, and certified and empathetic teachers, Florida Virtual School (FLVS) makes an excellent option for many students, including those with disabilities or impairments. Our online learning environment prioritizes flexibility, personalization, and accessibility, creating a more inclusive learning environment for all learners. 

As members of the FLVS Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Team, we aim to ensure students with disabilities or learning impairments have the support and tools needed to build confidence and reach their full potential. Another key part of our job is to highlight the importance of ensuring all students have access to a high-quality education, of which online learning plays a key role. 

To highlight the power of online learning and how it can support students with disabilities, we’ve put together six benefits of this learning environment: 

1) Customized Learning Pace

Students with disabilities often need to learn at their own pace, which can be difficult in a traditional classroom setting where the majority dictate the pace. Online learning allows for self-paced study, enabling students to take extra time on challenging concepts or skip ahead if they grasp the material quickly. FLVS teachers provide personalized instruction and one-on-one support to accommodate students’ learning styles. This flexibility ensures students with disabilities receive the attention and time required to understand the material fully. 

2) Accessible Learning Tools

FLVS technology platforms and online courses are designed with accessibility in mind and work with many common assistive technologies.

Solutions for visual disabilities include:

• Screen readers
• Text-to-speech
• Braille displays
• Magnification software
• Dictation software
• Optical character recognition features

Solutions used for hearing disabilities include:

• Hearing aids
• Captioning
• Speech-to-text synthesizer

Solutions used for motor or mobility disabilities include:

• Voice recognition software
• Accessible keyboard and mouse (and alternatives)
• Mouth stick
• Hand wand
• Eye tracking (or eye gaze tracking)

Solutions used for learning disabilities include:

• Text-to-speech
• Speech-to-text
• Word prediction software
• Graphic organizers

Solutions for speech disorders include:

• Speech-to-text
• Text-to-speech
• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices (symbol communicators, screen sentence grids)

3) Minimized Distractions

For students with attention disorders like ADHD, traditional classrooms can be overwhelming due to noise, peer interaction, and other distractions. Online learning allows students to create a controlled environment where they can minimize distractions and focus better on their coursework. FLVS teachers also inform students that video conferencing live lessons can include noise cancellation, automatically detecting and blocking background noise, such as keyboard typing. 

4) Individualized Support and Instruction

One of the greatest strengths of online learning with FLVS is the ability to provide personalized instruction from state-certified teachers. Upon starting a course with FLVS, our teachers have an introductory welcome call, where they introduce themselves and get to know the student and family. This is where the communication starts, but it doesn’t stop there. Every FLVS teacher is available to students and families through text, email, phone, and video calls to provide continued support and encouragement throughout the course. Families often feel a stronger connection to their teacher in this setting, thanks partly to the open and approachable communication between students, families, and FLVS teachers, creating a collaborative and supportive learning environment.

5) Flexible Scheduling

Students with disabilities can often face physical or mental health challenges that require medical appointments or therapy sessions. These appointments can be challenging to schedule in a traditional brick-and-mortar school and often result in missed class time. Online learning offers the flexibility to accommodate appointments while continuing their education. Instead of adhering to a rigid school schedule, students can adjust their learning hours to suit their specific circumstances.

6) Provides a Safe Social Space

Traditional classrooms can sometimes foster feelings of anxiety due to social dynamics. However, online learning environments can offer a more comfortable space for students to engage without the added pressure of being physically present among their classmates. For example, video conferencing and online group work allow students to interact in a more controlled and less intimidating environment.

Visit the FLVS Full Time ESE or individual courses (FLVS Flex) ESE webpages for more information on Florida Virtual School and its ESE programs. Students with disabilities or impairments enrolled in individual courses (FLVS Flex) must work with their district of enrollment to request any necessary ESE services, related services, evaluations, annual reviews, re-evaluations, and initial eligibility determinations. 

For families interested in FLVS Full Time Public Schools, enrollment applications open on Nov. 4 for the second semester. Students with a disability or impairment must indicate those in the appropriate sections on the application and attach a copy of the most current Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

 

About the author: The Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Exceptional Student Education (ESE) team is dedicated to providing personalized support and services to students with disabilities or impairments. Comprised of certified professionals, the team works collaboratively with families and educators to ensure students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) can access the resources and accommodations needed for academic success online. With a focus on inclusion, flexibility, and student empowerment, the FLVS ESE team helps students reach their full potential through individualized learning plans and ongoing support.