Teacher Zone

The "Stretch 2.0 Accessible Art and Design Contest" is an excellent opportunity to engage the interest of students in the new and growing fields of accessible and inclusive design.

The Ontario provincial curriculum already includes several objectives related to Accessible Art and Accessible Computing.

In addition, employment prospects in these areas are growing, especially with the passage of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. According to the Martin Prosperity Institute, releasing the constraints of exclusion in Ontario's economy will lead to individual and societal benefits, with productivity and GDP gains reaching billions of dollars.

Getting Started

Accessible Computing

Accessible Computing introduces students to best practices in information systems design and provides them with skills relevant to emerging usability and accessibility needs, particularly within the context of initiatives such as the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Course content may be developed and delivered in coordination with government-sponsored certification programs such as the "understanding web accessibility" course.

Ontario Curriculum Links

Examples of specific accessible design-related expectations in the Computer Studies curriculum (Grades 10 to 12, 2008)

  • C1.1 describe a variety of adaptive technologies that help to improve computer accessibility (e.g., text-to-speech, speech-to-text, adapted mouse, font control, ergonomic keyboard, virtual keyboard, sticky keys, colour contrast, image magnifier);
  • B3.2 design a user-friendly graphical user interface that helps to improve user accessibility (e.g., for multilingualism; for those with limited eyesight or colour vision deficiency);
  • B3.3 evaluate a user interface for conformity with a given accessibility standard (e.g., Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (US), W3C User Interface Domain, or a student- or teacher-created standard);

Accessible Art

See some of the student art projects that were produced during the first Stretch project.

Ontario Curriculum Links

Examples of specific inclusive design-related sections in the Arts curriculum (Grades 9 and 10, 2010)

  • Equity and Inclusive Education in the Arts Program
  • B2.3 identify and describe ways in which creating and/or analysing art works has affected their personal identity and values
  • B2.2 identify and describe ways in which various art works reflect the society in which they were created

Examples of specific inclusive design-related objectives in the Arts curriculum (Grades 11 and 12, 2010)

  • Equity and Inclusive Education in the Arts Program
  • B2.3 identify and describe ways in which creating and/or analysing art works has affected their personal identity and values
  • B3.3 analyse skills and understandings acquired through the creative and critical analysis processes in media arts (e.g., creative, technical, analytical, collaborative, and communication skills; increased understanding of issues related to differently abled people and inclusion), and analyse in detail how they can be applied in a wide range of areas in everyday life...
  • C3.2 explain ethical and legal issues associated with media arts, particularly with respect to social justice and equity issues

Lesson Plans

Stretch Lesson Plans focus on the following objectives:

Theory
  • Explain the physical and environmental implications of artistic endeavour (e.g., body image, social constructs of normalcy).
  • Demonstrate an understanding of language that is free from bias and stereotyping.
Creation
  • Modify elements (e.g., line, form, colour, texture, dynamics, time, space) of a work to change its effect (e.g., change in sensory modalities targeted to include wider audiences).
  • Communicate a specific message, using appropriate materials, techniques, and technologies.
Analysis
  • Document perceptual differences within a group of students when applying critical analysis.
  • Explain how a culture (e.g., the Deaf community) expresses its identity through the arts.

Classroom Speaker Opportunities

The IDRC can provide free classroom speakers via video conference to classes taking part in the Stretch Contest. Depending on the popularity of this service, it will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please contact jrichards@ocadu.ca.

For more information, please contact jrichards@ocadu.ca.