1. Supporting Students with Disabilities in an Online Educational Setting

2. Introductions Katie Santana Director of Instruction
Florida Virtual School Full Time

3. Today’s Objectives
Provide an overview of the support frameworks that are available for students in a virtual school that benefit SWD.
Share effective practices surrounding reinforcement systems that benefit all students in an online educational environment.
Discuss the provision and implementation of ESE services, accommodations, related services and other essential supports for SWD.
Discuss your own challenges in educating SWD online.

4. Setting the Tone Welcoming Families Regular 2-way Communication
Encouraging Participation
Support Systems
Welcoming Families (getting to know them, interests, needs, building trust, making connections)
Regular 2-way communication ( s, phone calls, texts, more than just IEP meetings)
Encourage Participation (events, committees, school spirit)
*See next slide for - Support Systems (parent info sessions, student help sessions, contacts readily available)

5. Virtual School Supports
Parent Information Sessions
School Counselors Support
Character Education
College/Career Exploration
Teacher Open Office
Tutoring Sessions
Peer Tutoring
Study Groups
Test Prep Sessions
Enrichment
Teacher Support/PD
Student Support Plans

6. Additional Support Services
MTSS Framework/RTI
Academic/Behavior Interventions
ELL Support
Exceptional Student Education Services
Related Services
Therapies
Social Skills Training
Mental Health Counseling
Crisis Intervention

7. Supports for All Students
Inherent Accommodations
Extended Time
Access 24/7
Record Lessons
Copies of Lessons
Adjusted Pacing
1:1 Support via Phone, Text and/or
Text alternatives for videos and graphics

8. Environmental Strategies
Designated workspace location in the home
Environment that is free of distractions
Appropriate desk/chair
Use of laptop or desktop computer vs. tablet
Home supports

9. Organizational Strategies
Course pacing guides
Course calendars – virtual and/or printed out
Designated folders for each course with printed materials/notes
Designated folder on computer for each course in Documents/Desktop and backed up on USB drive
Daily schedule with designated time set aside for each course
Built in time for technology frustrations

10. Behavioral Strategies
Communication
Monthly Calls
Student Support Plans/Behavior Plan
Progress Reports
*Pick up the phone!

11. Instructional Strategies
Individualized Feedback
Resubmissions of work
Set small goals
Breakout Rooms
Study Groups
Online tutoring
Peer Tutoring Groups
Collaboration
Supplement verbal instructions with visual instructions (Jings/videos)
Incorporate differentiated instruction
Provide supplemental learning materials (outlines,/study guides.)
Provide options for responding in class
Provide options for presentation of assignments (podcasts/videos)
 Discussion-based assessments

12. From the Start Application/Enrollment Consultation Academic Reviews
ESE Specific Considerations
Blended, Supplemental or Fully Online Options
Review of Plans
ESE Specific Considerations = Services/Needs/Abilities/LRE/Experience in Virtual

13. ESE Specific Support Once Enrolled ESE Case Manager Assignment
Connections
Continuous Monitoring
ESE Services
Related Services
Assistive Technology
Virtual Meetings

14. Examples of Additional Accommodations
 *Note: Many accommodations are naturally embedded in the online educational environment as previously mentioned. Also, many any accommodations needed in a traditional school setting are not applicable in virtual school.
Guided pacing /reduced pacing
Text-to-speech tools/screen readers
Speech-to-text tools
Provide a Copy of Class Notes in Advance
Testing Accommodations

15. Supports for School Personnel
Understanding ESE
Sensitivity to Disabilities
Best Practices for Communication
Access to Student Documents
Participation in Meetings

16. Questions & Comments

17. Helpful Resources
ISTE - The International Society for Technology in Education   
iNACOL - The International Association for K-12 Online Learning
Online Tutoring:
Progress Report Generator
Study tips for online tests
Text–to-Speech