The curb-cut effect: Perhaps some of you are now wondering whether this blog is moving closer to Formula 1 or whether we want to advertise fascinating new titanium knives for easier cutting of fresh vegetables. Although we certainly find both exciting, we are sticking to what we do best: E-LEARNING. But what do ‘curbs’ or a ‘cut’ have to do with learning?
The emergence of the so-called curb-cut effect began in the 1970s in the USA, when cities began lowering kerbs to make it easier for wheelchair users to get around. This measure, which was originally intended for people with mobility impairments, quickly developed into an improvement for many other people. Parents with pushchairs, suppliers with trolleys and even cyclists found the lowered kerbs a practical benefit. This effect, in which a specific action for one target group brings Curb-cut effect in e-learning: barrier-free learningunforeseen benefits for many other groups, became known as the curb-cut effect.
This story can be wonderfully transferred to the world of DIGITAL EMPLOYEE TRAINING. In the e-learning world, accessibility measures that were originally developed for people with disabilities also have far-reaching positive effects for the entire learning community. Small changes in the design of learning environments can have an unexpectedly large and positive impact on access to education – improving learning for all in the long term.
THE CURB-CUT EFFECT IN E-LEARNING: SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPACT
The curb-cut effect describes the phenomenon that improvements for a specific group are often associated with positive effects for a broader society. This effect is particularly important in the field of education. Accessibility measures in E-LEARNING, such as subtitles, text-to-speech functions or adaptable colours, may at first glance appear to be intended specifically for people with disabilities. However, they also offer advantages to many other groups. For example, students who learn in noisy environments benefit from subtitles, while visual adaptations can be useful for learners who are visually orientated.
One of the greatest strengths of the curb-cut effect in education is its invisibility: most people do not realise that accessibility measures improve their lives. Nevertheless, these improvements help to make learning more accessible and efficient – for everyone.
CURB-CUT EFFECT: ACCESSIBILITY IN E-LEARNING & DIGITAL RAMPS FOR ALL?
Accessibility in the digital world encompasses many different aspects. It is not just about physical accessibility, but also about the ability to understand and use content, regardless of the individual abilities of the learners. But what ‘tools’ are available in learning management systems (LMS) in this context? And what exactly can be used and how?
Subtitles and transcripts: Originally developed to support people with hearing impairments, subtitles have many benefits. They help learners who work in noisy environments, non-native speakers who want to improve their language skills and even people who can memorise information better through visual learning. Even complex topics are often easier to grasp and understand. Transcripts of videos can be useful for re-reading and repeating learning content from extensive learning units.
Screen reader compatibility: People with visual impairments often need screen readers to capture digital content. If an e-learning platform is well-structured, these tools can read content aloud and thus facilitate the learning process. Even people who may not have a visual impairment but prefer to rely on their hearing can benefit from such functions. Imagine you find it difficult to read extensive documents on the train because you regularly feel sick. It is definitely an advantage if you can have the texts read to you and enjoy the passing scenery at the same time.
Visual adaptations: Adjustments to screen colours, contrasts, and font sizes not only help people with visual impairments, but also those who suffer from eye strain or headaches. Do you also work many hours a day in front of screens? If so, you have probably already experienced first-hand how much more pleasant a modified contrast image can be. Visual adjustments enable learners to organise their environment in such a way that they can learn optimally.
Customisable learning environments: The following generally applies to learning platforms: Users should be able to customise their learning environment. This can be achieved not only through the choice of colours, contrasts or layouts, but also through the possibility of downloading the learning content in different formats (e.g. as audio, text or video files). True to the motto: just learn as you like!
Structure and clarity: It can be difficult for people with cognitive impairments to understand complex, confusing content. A clear structure, simple navigation and understandable language are measures that have been specially developed for this target group. However, they ultimately benefit all learners as they simplify the learning process and make it easier to understand.
All of these measures, often referred to as ‘digital ramps’, facilitate access to education and help to create a more equitable and inclusive learning environment. So, it is no longer a question of whether suitable measures exist, but a fact: digital ramps for all! And one thing that has already been mentioned in many of our blog posts from the past applies once again in the context of learning with disabilities: time flexibility! This is often crucial for people with disabilities who may need longer breaks or more individualised scheduling. E-learning naturally lends itself all the more to this.
Take a break when it gets too much and carry on when your head is a little fresher again. However, this is an experience that everyone has certainly had – regardless of whether they have an impairment or not. So, this is also a very good example of the curb-cut effect: Even if people with disabilities seem to be more affected by this, this advantage is of course also extremely helpful for other professionals, parents or students who work part-time to organise the learning process flexibly. Accessible e-learning platforms that offer this flexibility therefore have a major advantage for a wide range of users.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND THE CURB-CUT EFFECT’S SIGNIFICANCE FOR E-LEARNING
In many countries, there are legal provisions that promote accessibility and ensure that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as people without disabilities.
In Germany, for example, the German Social Code IX stipulates that employers must employ a certain percentage of people with disabilities once a certain number of employees have been reached. There are also corresponding approaches in Switzerland. The Disability Discrimination Act (BehiG) and the obligations arising from the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) require that people with disabilities have access to education and employment opportunities without being discriminated against.
The Austrian laws on the integration of people with disabilities also provide for similar regulations. The fact that these requirements are not only aimed at the physical workplace, but that all digital platforms must also offer corresponding opportunities, is the absolutely logical and correct consequence.
LMSs must make their content accessible to all. As education is a central part of professional development, organisations must ensure that their e-learning offerings meet the requirements of these laws and, more importantly, their workforce as a whole. After all, there is hardly any other corporate process that needs to be so focussed on the entire workforce.
THE INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE WITH THE CURB-CUT EFFECT
Accessibility measures in e-learning have the potential to change the educational landscape in the long term. If inclusion becomes the norm and accessible platforms raise general educational standards, all learners will benefit. In an inclusive learning environment, learning becomes more accessible and effective for all. The use of technology to promote accessibility will continue to increase in the future. Learning platforms could become even more flexible and customisable, which will further enhance the curb-cut effect. And fortunately, there is no end in sight for this journey!
At Swissteach, we are putting all our experience and energy into making the LMS of tomorrow that little bit better and – against the background of accessibility – ever more accessible. This is not only driven by the laws outlined above, which undoubtedly have a direct impact on the work of LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROVIDERS. Rather, our motivation is to provide the best LMS for individual requirements and needs as part of what we do. And these are infinitely diverse, as shown in this blog.
Do you also have high expectations of your LMS? Have these not yet been sufficiently fulfilled? Then CONTACT our experts and let us take a look at your situation together. We are at your disposal and look forward to hearing from you.
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