Emerging Lessons: Accessible Digital Textbooks Using Universal Design for Learning

Intended for ministries of education, publishers, technology and content developers, teachers and implementers

Students pose for photograph inside their classroom at a government primary school in Uttar Pradesh, India
UNICEF/UNI159600/Singh

Highlights

All children can learn and should be given the opportunity to reach their full academic potential. Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) affirms the right of persons with disabilities to inclusive education, at all levels, without discrimination and on the basis of equal opportunity. Contracting states must ensure the reasonable accommodation of the needs of children with disabilities (United Nations, 2006). Likewise, to realize Article 24 of the CRPD and to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all by 2030, governments must meaningfully address inclusive education.

To help governments achieve these goals, UNICEF and its partners are developing an innovative digital solution, the Accessible Digital Textbook Initiative for All. The goal of this initiative is to make textbooks in digital format available, affordable and accessible for children with disabilities in development and humanitarian contexts, and to improve learning outcomes for ALL children.

UNICEF Accessible Digital Textbooks Guidance Document 2019
Author(s)
UNICEF and its partners
Publication date
Languages
English, Spanish