1. High School Uses Innovative Accessibility
Activities to Teach Invaluable Lessons
When Janadi Gonzalez-Lord, a science teacher at Bishop Anstey High School East, noticed that a hearing-
impaired student was feeling excluded from certain learning activities, she decided to take action. She
worked with her students and members of the local community to develop a specialized science
curriculum. Students used Microsoft technologies to create rich-media learning tools, including video
games and online assessments, designed with accessibility in mind for those with hearing impairments.
Gonzalez was recently recognized for her innovation with a first-place award at the 2012 Latin America
and Caribbean Partners in Learning Innovative Educators Forum in Lima, Peru.
On a Mission to Teach Science (and So Much More!)
Bishop Anstey High School East (BAHSE) was established
in 2001 as an all-girls secondary school rooted in the
faith tradition of the Anglican Church. Located in Trincity,
Trinidad, a fast-growing metropolitan area, the school
specializes in providing a comprehensive and
challenging course of study designed to prepare
students for higher education.
A major component of the school’s mission is to
recognize and promote the unique contributions of each
student. Janadi Gonzalez-Lord, a science teacher at
BAHSE, recently noticed that one student, who is hard of
hearing, was not receiving the kind of individualized
attention that she needed to succeed. “The traditional
lesson plans that most of us are familiar with are not
necessarily designed to include students with physical or
learning impairments,” says Gonzalez. “This particular
student felt isolated from her peers, and in some ways,
invisible in the classroom.”
Gonzalez wanted to raise awareness among her students
and others in the school community about the
importance of inclusiveness for all learners. She began to
work with her students to brainstorm ideas for a science
project that would incorporate content accessible to
children of all abilities. One of the key learning
objectives—beyond imparting science facts—was to help
students better appreciate the challenges that people
with hearing disabilities face each day.
Throughout the process of planning this customized
lesson, Gonzalez emphasized integrating technology into
each learning activity. Leaders at BAHSE view the
everyday use of computers in the classroom as essential
to helping prepare students for twenty-first century
careers. To move the project forward quickly, Gonzalez
was eager to take advantage of software-based
accessibility tools that the school already owned and
that the students already knew how to use.
Reaching for the Stars with Microsoft Accessibility Tools
During the 2011–2012 school year, Gonzalez and her
students devised a project titled “The Solar System:
Reaching for the Stars.” Over the course of four weeks,
Gonzalez and her students developed the activities and
learning assessments for this project, in collaboration
with students from the Cascade School for the Deaf in
Trinidad.
“By using technology from Microsoft to create
interactive, accessible learning activities, my students
ultimately came away with a better appreciation of
deaf culture. And that is something they will bring
with them out into the world, wherever they go.”
—Janadi Gonzalez-Lord, Teacher,
Bishop Anstey High School East

2. With guidance from Gonzalez and input from members
of the deaf community, the students created a project
with three distinct phases. The first phase involved
building a planetarium that students could tour to learn
interesting facts about each of the planets in the solar
system. The class followed instructions from the
Microsoft Worldwide Telescope product website to build
the structure. Then, students used Windows Movie
Maker, Microsoft Photo Story, and Microsoft PowerPoint
to design and create video journals to chronicle their
peers’ journeys through the planetarium.
For the second part of the project, students used Kodu
Game Lab for Windows to invent their own video game.
Kodu is designed specifically for children, enabling
students to learn basic object-oriented programming
skills at an early age—while developing interactive, rich-
media games that can be enjoyed by everyone. As part
of the lesson plan, the BAHSE students prepared
instructions for the game in both sign language and in
written-form.
The third phase of the project focused on assessing
performance against key learning objectives. Students
used a number of Microsoft technologies, including
Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Windows Movie Maker,
to create worksheets, video summaries, and more.
“Microsoft offers so many easy-to-use multimedia tools
for creating content that all learners can benefit from,”
says Gonzalez. “Because the kids were already familiar
with how Microsoft programs work, they became
immersed in the subject matter, which is enough to
make any teacher happy.”
Revolutionizing Education for Students of All Abilities
Gonzalez was recently recognized for her innovative
approach to helping students deepen their
understanding of those who are deaf or hearing
impaired. At the Latin America and Caribbean Partners in
Learning Innovative Educators Forum, held in Lima, Peru,
in September 2012, she was awarded first place in the
category of “Innovation in Difficult Circumstances.” “By
using technology from Microsoft to create interactive,
accessible learning activities, my students ultimately
came away with a better appreciation of deaf culture,”
says Gonzalez. “And that is something they will bring
with them out into the world, wherever they go.”
Students used Kodu Game Lab for Windows to develop a video
game, which was accessible to hearing-impaired students.
For many years, BAHSE has benefitted from working
closely with the Microsoft Partners in Learning program.
The purpose of this program is to help educators and
school leaders connect, collaborate, create, and share to
enrich learning opportunities and improve the lives of
their students.
Gonzalez noted how moving it was to participate in the
2012 Partners in Learning Forum in Peru. “I was inspired
by the achievements of teachers from around the world,
who understand the need for accessibility in education,”
says Gonzalez. “It is clear to me that Microsoft is at the
forefront in helping to revolutionize education. And I’m
proud to be a part of that revolution.”
“It’s clear to me that Microsoft is at the forefront in helping to revolutionize education. And I’m proud to be a part
of that revolution.”
—Janadi Gonzalez-Lord, Teacher, Bishop Anstey High School East
Accessibility in
Education
www.microsoft.com/education/enable
Empower all students with accessible technology.
Students with disabilities and learning style differences face unique challenges in
learning and in life. Microsoft is dedicated to building accessibility into our products,
and also providing accessibility resources for educators.
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NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.