Accessible Pathways
Supporting educators of multilingual students with low incidence disabilities
The Accessible Pathways Project aims to better understand and support multilingual learners (MLs) with low incidence disabilities, in this case, students who are blind or have low vision (BLV) and those who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). This project is a collaborative effort led by the Minnesota Department of Education and WIDA that launched in 2025 with a $3.998 million grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) competition. Read the Accessible Pathways Project press release.
Project activities include gathering information about students who are MLs and are BLV or DHH to inform effective practices and measures that are accessible and appropriate for these students and establishing communities of practice (CoPs) of educators and other professionals who work with MLs who are BLV and DHH to share resources and build educator capacity related to evidence-based practices. A continuous evaluation process will be used to assess progress and ensure effectiveness of the project’s initiatives.
Share information about this project with the Accessible Pathways Project flyer.
Communities of Practice
WIDA is looking for participants with a range of relevant experience and expertise in working with MLs who are DHH or BLV to participate in two CoPs as part of the Accessible Pathways grant.
About the CoPs
Each CoP will be co-facilitated by a WIDA project staff member and a subject-matter expert consultant with lived experience relating to MLs who are BLV or DHH. These CoPs provide educators with a forum for networking and sharing effective resources and practices, including the implementation of English language proficiency standards, the reporting and interpretation of student test scores and learning from each other’s perspectives and experiences.
Participant Roles and Responsibilities
- The CoPs will meet virtually via Zoom monthly for 1 hour from winter through spring during the 2025-2026 academic year, with the possibility of continuing for the following academic year.
- Project staff, CoP consultant facilitators and CoP members will plan topics collaboratively for the CoP meetings.
- CoP members will also provide feedback on project activities, including data collection tools, reports and other communications.
- Participants should be able to attend most of the meetings.
Participant Qualifications
- Experience teaching or directly supporting the instruction of MLs who are DHH or BLV is required.
- Experience with assessment of MLs with disabilities is preferred.
- Priority will be given to participants who live or teach in Arizona, Kansas and WIDA Consortium states.
Participant Benefits
Each participant will receive an honorarium rate of $150 per meeting. The honorarium will be given at the completion of the academic year.
Application Submissions
Apply to be considered for participation by filling out the Accessible Pathways Communities of Practice survey by November 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CT. WIDA will begin to reach out to selected individuals in November and December 2025.