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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can recognise how technology supports individuals' access to the modern working world and how accessibility issues affect people at work.

      Key learning points

      1. Assistive technologies help individuals with disabilities engage fully in digital environments.
      2. Accessibility features in platforms for online communication support diverse user needs.
      3. Popular tools for communication include email, instant messaging, video conferencing and discussion forums.

      Keywords

      • Accessibility - consideration of design so that what is created is usable by everyone

      • Collaboration - two or more people working together

      Common misconception

      Working collaboratively is always positive and has an impact on productivity.

      There are some disadvantages to collaborative working, for example complex decision making with multiple people can become a lengthy process and coordination of resources can be difficult.

      Teacher tip

      Visualising examples of accessible hardware is really helpful in understanding the barriers people can have when using non-accessible technology. Try to find equipment or images that pupils can look at to understand the adaptations that have to be made.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is a traditional team most likely to rely on for communication?

      video calls
      email
      instant messaging
      Correct answer: face-to-face meetings

      Q2.
      What is one key advantage of modern-day working?

      Correct answer: increased productivity
      employee burnout
      isolation of employees
      increased demand on IT systems

      Q3.
      Which of the following is a disadvantage of modern-day working?

      enhanced customer service
      increased productivity
      Correct answer: employee burnout
      better collaboration

      Q4.
      What is someone called who has a vested interest in a business or project?

      Correct Answer: stakeholder

      Q5.
      Match each term to its description:

      Correct Answer:emails,a way to send and receive digital messages

      a way to send and receive digital messages

      Correct Answer:video conferencing,a method of virtual face-to-face communication

      a method of virtual face-to-face communication

      Correct Answer:instant messaging,a tool for real-time text-based communication

      a tool for real-time text-based communication

      Correct Answer:organisation,a group working together towards a shared purpose

      a group working together towards a shared purpose

      Q6.
      What is one way that organisations can overcome the challenges of modern-day working?

      ignore employee concerns
      Correct answer: provide digital tools and support
      limit remote working options
      increase workloads

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the purpose of assistive technologies?

      Correct answer: to help individuals with disabilities fully engage in digital environments
      to replace traditional communication tools
      to improve IT system efficiency
      to support only physical accessibility

      Q2.
      Match each term to its definition:

      Correct Answer:accessibility,making things easy to use, understand and reach

      making things easy to use, understand and reach

      Correct Answer:collaboration,two or more people working together

      two or more people working together

      Correct Answer:video conferencing,virtual face-to-face communication

      virtual face-to-face communication

      Q3.
      What is the term for two or more people working together to achieve a common goal?

      Correct Answer: collaboration

      Q4.
      Match each assistive technology to its description:

      Correct Answer:screen readers,reads on-screen text aloud for visually impaired users

      reads on-screen text aloud for visually impaired users

      Correct Answer:speech-to-text software,converts spoken words into written text

      converts spoken words into written text

      Correct Answer:adaptive keyboards,designed for users with physical disabilities, with custom layouts

      designed for users with physical disabilities, with custom layouts

      Correct Answer:eye-tracking devices,allows users to control a computer using eye movement

      allows users to control a computer using eye movement

      Q5.
      Match each type of challenge to its example:

      Correct Answer:complex decision-making,multiple people disagreeing on the direction of a project

      multiple people disagreeing on the direction of a project

      Correct Answer:difficulty coordinating resources,scheduling meetings across time zones

      scheduling meetings across time zones

      Correct Answer:accessibility,providing screen readers for visually impaired employees

      providing screen readers for visually impaired employees

      Q6.
      What is one way organisations can support accessibility in the workplace?

      ignoring accessibility needs
      avoiding collaboration
      Correct answer: providing assistive technologies
      limiting communication tools

      To help you plan your 10 computing lesson on: Accessibility, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...