Guide

Act On His Word has over 50 accessibility features and meets the needs of diverse learners:

• typical learning needs
• learning disabilities
• physical disabilities
• cognitive disabilities
• non-native speakers

Research shows that the way people learn is as unique as their fingerprints.  God has created us all with unique brains, talents, needs, and strengths.  Universal Design for Learning uses evidenced-based teaching and learning methods to minimize barriers and maximize learning for everyone.  Act On His Word is designed to be flexible to accommodate all kinds of people, just like the elevators and ramps in a Universally Designed building can accommodate people in wheelchairs and walkers, as well as people pushing a stroller or a delivery cart.  Good design benefits everyone, those with disabilities and those without!

Many Universal Design features have been built into this Bible study to encourage everyone to be involved, participate fully, learn together and applaud one another on to Act On His Word!

• Icons: ease of understanding, communication, and navigation
• Multisensory: video, movement, audio, text, drama, images, art, music, activities, sound effects, discussion prompts, digital & print format
• Easy Reading: 7^th grade reading level or less site-wide
• Evidence-Based: teaching & learning strategies are research-backed, including the use of Reader’s Theater scripts, the Universal Design for Learning framework, and the use of multisensory resources.
• Color Contrast: increases visibility
• Simple Clear Fonts: increases visibility and ease of reading
• Video Captions: make video accessible and enhances learning
• Definitions & Extras: to allow flexibility in learning for depth and clarity

• Scripture: Provided as text or use the screen reader accessibility feature built into the website.  The English Standard Version (ESV) is used due to its readability as well as faithfulness to the original languages. 

• Script: The Reader’s Theater script has been purposefully designed to allow everyone to participate in this immersive learning experience.  There’s a variety of reading levels as well as short and long parts to choose from.  Click for an Example  There’s also opportunity for non-speaking parts, such as sound effects with the push of a button, dramatic lighting if you choose, or just flipping a light switch if you’d like to keep it simple. 

• Episode Spotlight:  Your choice of captioned video or print teaching with many accessibility features built into the website.

• Let’s Discuss: Opportunity for discussion with thought provoking questions provided.

• Character Spotlight: Information and questions promote further discussion about the people in the Bible.  Provided as text or use the screen reader accessibility feature built into the website

• And…Action!: Practical ideas for the application of Biblical truths as well as challenges to Act On His Word.

• Extras: Encourages flexibility in learning for depth and clarity, including: video testimonies, pictures, maps, definitions, additional information on related topics, and inspiring artwork.

• Start each study with the Reader’s Theater script because it provides opportunities for organic friendship and inclusion within the Bible study as everyone is involved to act, learn, discuss, and create together. Each script also includes the scripture which is powerfully read aloud by the group.

• Use the highlight feature to highlight your character for easier reading or supply the class with highlighter markers for print outs.

• Use name tags for the Bible characters for learning purposes. Templates have been provided to print large easy-to-read nametags.

• Reading levels and word counts have been provided for each character with each script. Let people choose their own characters to play. Not everyone is comfortable reading, so let people choose their own parts including non-reading roles such as lighting, sound effects or even props and simple costumes.

• Female characters are limited, so allow anyone to read any role. Focus is on learning from the dramatic reading, not on portraying a character.

• A person that enjoys reading can read two characters if you don’t have enough people to read all the parts. Consider looking ahead at the script so as not to have too many lines all together.

• Lighting can be as simple as turning on and off an overhead light or using lamps. Keep it simple, since this is for learning purposes and not performance.

• Optional for people with special interest in the areas of props and costumes: simple props and Biblical era headgear may be used to add meaning and impact, but neither are necessary for Reader’s Theater. It is a way to include people’s interests and provide deeper learning if desired.

• Check out the playwright’s notes, From The Director’s Chair, for ideas of how to get the most out of each script.