Funding for this project is generously granted by Google.org
Expanding Computer Science and AI Education Capacity, Access, and Participation for Students with Disabilities through Scaled Teacher Professional Development
We are committed to expanding computer science (CS) and artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities for K-12 learners with disabilities. Our work is grounded in the CAPE (Fletcher & Warner, 2021) and Expanded CAPE frameworks (McGill et al, 2023), which allow us to measure and improve access across four key levels:
- Capacity: Ensuring school districts have the policies and leadership needed to support CS, AI and robotics for the widest range of learners.
- Access: Making sure CS, AI, and robotics instruction and tools are available to students with disabilities.
- Participation: Increasing the number of learners with disabilities who enroll in CS, AI, and robotics opportunities.
- Experience: Using Universal Design for Learning (UDL), High Leverage Practices (HLPs), and Accessibility to ensure students feel a true sense of belonging in the classroom.
What We Aim to Do
Learn from teachers about how they bring accessibility into computer science.
Prepare teachers to use accessibility frameworks for both hardware and software evaluation for Blockly-supported tools in their classrooms.
Provide classroom resources, including robots, so teachers can use them in lesson plans they will create.
Provide the Blockly team with approaches to improve the accessibility of their products
Our Partners
We work closely with schools and organizations that share our vision
Major Milestones
- Bennett, A. & Israel, M. (2025). Teachers’ POUR Evaluation of Computer Science Technologies (2025). RESPECT 2025: Proceedings of the Research in Equitable and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology. 18-26. https://doi.org/10.1145/3704637.3734774.
- Bennett, A. & Israel, M. (2025, June 4). Professional development for K-5 teachers to tailor the POUR principles to their use cases [Paper presentation]. Google Blockly Summit 2025, Seattle, WA, USA. Video.
- Israel, M., Stefik, A., Fugate, G., & Bennett, A. (2025, May 9). Beyond compliance: Designing accessible tools for dynamic learning [Panel discussion]. Infosys Crossroads Conference 2025, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Accessibility in Computer Science Education
Getting Started with Blockly
Micro:bit Basics
- micro:bit User Guide (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- Introduction to micro:bit Promotional YouTube Video (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- micro:bit Classroom
- micro:bit Lessons (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- micro:bit Classroom Resources (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- micro:bit Projects (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- Setting Up a micro:bit Classroom YouTube Video (A Byte With Lina)
- micro:bit Classroom Basics Student Portal YouTube Video (A Byte with LIna)
Teaching with Microsoft MakeCode
- Microsoft MakeCode used with micro:bit and Blockly (Microsoft))
- Coding with the micro:bit and MakeCode Platform (Eduporium)
- micro:bit and MakeCode Lessons (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- Using Microsoft MakeCode in Your Classroom YouTube Video (EdTech Show with Dan Spada)
- Microsoft MakeCode Features for Teachers (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- Microsoft MakeCode FAQs (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- Teacher Tip (Microsoft MakeCode)
Accessibility Resources
- Microsoft MakeCode Accessibility (Microsoft MakeCode)
- micro:bit Accessibility (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- micro:bit Full Accessibility Statement (micro:bit Educational Foundation
- micro:bit Python Editor Accessibility (Including Keyboard Shortcuts) (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- micro:bit Python Editor Accessibility Statement
- micro:bit CreateAI Accessibility Statement (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- micro:bit Text-Based Tour (micro:soft Educational Foundation)
- micro:bit Tactile Poster
- micro:bit Sign Glossary
Technical Setup & Maintenance
- How to Transfer Programs to micro:bit (Microsoft MakeCode)
- WebUSB for micro:bit and How to Pair (Microsoft MakeCode)
- micro:bit Firmware (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- Resetting a micro:bit (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- Cleaning the micro:bit (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- Organizing and Storing micro:bit (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- Using micro:bit with Mobile Devices (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- micro:bit Safety Information (micro:bit Educational Foundation)
- micro:bit Full Safety Details (micro:bit Educational Foundation)