Here's how accessibility tools and Gemini are helping students find independence

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Editor's note: On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we're sharing how schools in Alberta, Canada, eliminated barriers for students by adopting Face control - an accessibility feature built into every Chromebook - and custom extensions coded with Gemini, which they access through Gemini for Education. Below, Darren Maltais, the schools' technology integration facilitator, explains how they've replaced cumbersome switch systems to give students with disabilities independence at school.

At Black Gold School Division, we serve pre-K to grade 12 students across 32 schools. We're always looking for technology that helps our 14,000 students learn. But every so often, technology comes along that does more than just improve learning experiences - it completely changes the game. That's exactly what we experienced with Face control, a built-in ChromeOS accessibility feature that's available on every Chromebook.

For Liam Alfonso Dansereau, a creative and cognitively advanced seventh-grader, participating in class used to require a cumbersome setup. As a student with mobility differences, Liam previously relied on physical switches to navigate his computer. The logistical reality of switches is challenging: He had to disconnect everything from his wheelchair in order to connect to his laptop. Once he was connected, the process of using his laptop was very time consuming. He had to hit a head switch multiple times just to click a link. Every word he wanted to say had to be scribed for him and every number had to be written down.

When I read an article explaining the Face control feature on Chromebooks, I knew it could change things for Liam and other students across our district. I couldn't open my Chromebook fast enough to get Liam set up. The technology was transformative. By utilizing his Chromebook's camera, Face control allows Liam to scroll and navigate freely by moving his head. It's a key to freedom. Instead of relying on a scribe for every word or navigating a time-consuming setup, Liam can simply move his head to control his cursor, allowing him to open assignments in Google Classroom, turn on voice typing, and complete his work independently.

Creating a clearer path with Gemini

To further support Liam's independence, I used Gemini to code a custom extension that finds questions on sites like Khan Academy, so Liam can click a single button on his screen instead of scrolling all over the place.

With Face control on Chromebooks, we're eliminating barriers and creating a level playing field. Students who previously struggled to write a single sentence are now writing page-long stories. For Liam, barrier-free learning means he can fully express his humour and curiosity in real time alongside his peers. Since Liam started using Face control on his Chromebook, we've seen him claim ownership of his learning. Most importantly, it's opened up new possibilities for his future. Liam is now hooked on the idea of becoming a web designer or a video game designer. Thanks to his newfound digital independence, he has the tools to start building those skills today.

• Chromebooks
• Learning & Education